LXXXV
Reading edition
FROM Thee, Eternal Power, came my life, And by Thee was love born within my soul. Since I have felt Time and the hours toll, And have experienced my heart at strife, And felt it severed oft, as with a knife, I must with one good thought myself console. For since I may not consummate the whole, Nor reach the fulness of love when ’tis ripe; Then ne’ertheless have I account to give When, unfulfilled in happiness, my days In number cease and I on high must go, To render unto Thee the life I live. So be it then, that in these passing lays I prove not faithless to the things I know.