Ye Have Done It Unto Me

by Achsa White Sprague

Dedicated to Mrs. E. R. Crawford.

When thou hast heard the heart's lone prayer,
Low-uttered in its deep despair,
When sorrow called, and not in vain,
When thou hast sought the couch of pain,
To cheer the sufferer's aching eye,
And speak of hope, if they must die, --
Then angels bent to watch o'er thee,
Saying, Ye have done it unto me.

When hearts are tempted unto sin --
If thou dost speak, their souls to win
From that dark midnight gulf of pain,
Making them strong and true again;
When wildly by the storms they're driven,
If thou a purpose high hast given, --
Then angels bend and watch o'er thee,
Saying, Ye have done it unto me.

When thou dost firmly, strongly stand,
With earnest purpose in thy hand,
Though known, or though misunderstood,
Still striving bravely for the good,
Ready the power of truth to claim,
Though others put it unto shame, --
Then angels bend and watch o'er thee,
Saying, Ye have done it unto me.

When to thy heart and to thy home,
Thy words have bid the wanderer come,
And watched with earnest, heart-felt prayer,
And with a mother's tender care;
When long-enduring, working long,
Through weary months, in purpose strong, --
Then angels bend and watch o'er thee,
Saying, Ye have done it unto me.

When life's dark shores are left behind,
And Heaven's bright portals thou shalt find,
The angels, in their blest estate,
Shall open wide the golden gate;
And friends, and light, and joy, be given,
And all-enduring love in heaven; --
Then God shall bend and watch o'er thee,
Saying, Ye have done it unto me.