By Washington Gladden
In the bitter waves of woe,
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt--
When the anchors that faith had cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail :
I know that right is right ;
That it is not good to lie ;
That love is better than spite,
And a neighbor than a spy ;
I know that passion needs
The leash of a sober mind ;
I know that generous deeds
Some sure reward will find ;
That the rulers must obey ;
That the givers shall increase ;
That Duty lights the way
For the beautiful feet of Peace ;
In the darkest night of the year,
When the stars have all gone out,
That courage is better than fear,
That faith is truer than doubt ;
And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that Truth and Right
Have the universe on their side ;
And that somewhere, beyond the stars,
Is a Love that is better than fate ;
When the night unlocks her bars
I shall see Him, and I will wait.
