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Poem
June 1, 1841
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A poetic prayer seeking divine protection and peace for those anxiously awaiting the return of loved ones aboard the ship 'President', amid fears it may never arrive.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A PRAYER
For those who have friends in 'the President.'
Comes she not? The ship was wont to glide
With bird-like speed athwart the ocean-foam.
Floats not her flag upon the distant tide?
Gleam not her white sails through the grey mist's gloom?
In hushed suspense, weeks heavily pass o'er:
She comes not yet—alas! if she should come no more!
How many hearts with sick misgiving faint,
Worn with long watching, pine in lone distress,
Whose tears, held prisoned by love's fond restraint,
Gush forth unchecked in midnight silentness.
As to their wistful gaze hope's trembling ray
Grows dim and dimmer yet—is fading fast away!
Oh Lord of sovereign might! before thy throne
They fall, imploring thy protecting power!
O God of truth and love! to thee alone
They turn for strength in this their trial hour.
How deep, how keen their anguish, only thou,
Who knowest all, can tell: support, sustain them now!
Thou know'st the shrinking agony of fear,
That mocks the smiles the lip assumes in vain;
Affection's art would hide the stealing tear,
With words of hope disown its writhing pain;
But Thou behold'st the spirit's deep despair.
When in its solitude it pours its wild impassioned prayer.
Alas! their homes are desolate! Some face
Beloved has vanished from the social hearth.—
Some form that charmed it with familiar grace
Some tones that gladdened it with music's mirth;
O Lord of might! pity their helpless pain.
Bring back their wanderers safely to their arms again!
Our times are in thy hand: in perfect rest
Thou wilt keep him whose mind is stayed on thee:
Calm thou the conflict in each tortured breast;
Their hope, their trust, their consolation be.
Shed thy deep peace upon each care-worn brow:
Be with them, God of love—strengthen, sustain them now!
For those who have friends in 'the President.'
Comes she not? The ship was wont to glide
With bird-like speed athwart the ocean-foam.
Floats not her flag upon the distant tide?
Gleam not her white sails through the grey mist's gloom?
In hushed suspense, weeks heavily pass o'er:
She comes not yet—alas! if she should come no more!
How many hearts with sick misgiving faint,
Worn with long watching, pine in lone distress,
Whose tears, held prisoned by love's fond restraint,
Gush forth unchecked in midnight silentness.
As to their wistful gaze hope's trembling ray
Grows dim and dimmer yet—is fading fast away!
Oh Lord of sovereign might! before thy throne
They fall, imploring thy protecting power!
O God of truth and love! to thee alone
They turn for strength in this their trial hour.
How deep, how keen their anguish, only thou,
Who knowest all, can tell: support, sustain them now!
Thou know'st the shrinking agony of fear,
That mocks the smiles the lip assumes in vain;
Affection's art would hide the stealing tear,
With words of hope disown its writhing pain;
But Thou behold'st the spirit's deep despair.
When in its solitude it pours its wild impassioned prayer.
Alas! their homes are desolate! Some face
Beloved has vanished from the social hearth.—
Some form that charmed it with familiar grace
Some tones that gladdened it with music's mirth;
O Lord of might! pity their helpless pain.
Bring back their wanderers safely to their arms again!
Our times are in thy hand: in perfect rest
Thou wilt keep him whose mind is stayed on thee:
Calm thou the conflict in each tortured breast;
Their hope, their trust, their consolation be.
Shed thy deep peace upon each care-worn brow:
Be with them, God of love—strengthen, sustain them now!
What sub-type of article is it?
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Prayer For Ship
President Vessel
Anxious Waiting
Divine Protection
Loved Ones At Sea
Fear Of Loss
Poem Details
Title
A Prayer
Subject
For Those Who Have Friends In 'The President.'
Key Lines
Oh Lord Of Sovereign Might! Before Thy Throne
They Fall, Imploring Thy Protecting Power!
O God Of Truth And Love! To Thee Alone
They Turn For Strength In This Their Trial Hour.
O Lord Of Might! Pity Their Helpless Pain.
Bring Back Their Wanderers Safely To Their Arms Again!
Be With Them, God Of Love—Strengthen, Sustain Them Now!