Summum Bonum

Louise Imogen Guiney 1861 (Roxbury) – 1920



Waiting on Him who knows us and our need,
Most need have we to dare not, nor desire,
But as He giveth, softly to suspire
Against His gift, with no inglorious greed,
For this is joy, tho' still our joys recede;
And, as in octaves of a noble lyre,
To move our minds with His, and clearer, higher,
Sound forth our fate; for this is strength indeed.

Thanks to His love let earth and man dispense
In smoke of worship when the heart is stillest,
A praying more than prayer: "Great good have I,
Till it be greater good to lay it by;
Nor can I lose peace, power, permanence,
For these smile on me from the thing Thou willest!"

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

36 sec read
101

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBAAXBA XACCXA
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 626
Words 123
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 8, 6

Louise Imogen Guiney

Louise Imogen Guiney was an American poet, essayist and editor born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. more…

All Louise Imogen Guiney poems | Louise Imogen Guiney Books

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