“A Hymn”, p. 8
To Cowper and other poems : autograph manuscript of 9 poems, signed, 1842–1845
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1900
“A Hymn” (pp. 8–11)
Dated 10 September 1843, when Brontë was twenty-three. First published in Poems (1846) with title “The Doubter’s Prayer.” Poem 23 in Chitham (1979).
A Hymn
Eternal power of earth and air!
Unseen, yet seen in all around;
Remote, but dwelling everywhere
Though silent, heard in every sound
If o’er e’er thine ear in mercy bent,
When wretched mortals cried to thee,
And if indeed thy sun Son was sent,
To save lost sinners such as me –
Then hear me now, while, kneeling here;
I lift to thee my streaming heart and eye,
And all my soul ascends in prayer
Oh give me – give me Faith! I cried cry.
Without some glimmering in my heart,
I could not raise this fervent prayer;
But, Oh! A stronger light impart;
And in thy mercy fix it there!
Text as published in Poems (1846)
THE DOUBTER’S PRAYER
Eternal Power, of earth and air!
Unseen, yet seen in all around,
Remote, but dwelling everywhere,
Though silent, heard in every sound.
If e’er thine ear in mercy bent,
When wretched mortals cried to Thee,
And if, indeed, Thy Son was sent,
To save lost sinners such as me:
Then hear me now, while, kneeling here,
I lift to thee my heart and eye,
And all my soul ascends in prayer,
Oh, give me—give me Faith! I cry.
Without some glimmering in my heart,
I could not raise this fervent prayer;
But, oh! A stronger light impart,
And in Thy mercy fix it there.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 BronteMA28.pdf | 15.07 MB |
“A Hymn”, p. 9
To Cowper and other poems : autograph manuscript of 9 poems, signed, 1842–1845
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1900
“A Hymn” (pp. 8–11)
Dated 10 September 1843, when Brontë was twenty-three. First published in Poems (1846) with title “The Doubter’s Prayer.” Poem 23 in Chitham (1979).
While Faith is with me, I am blest
It turns my darkest night to day
But while I clasp it to my breast
I often feel it slide away.
Then cold and dark my spirit sinks,
To see my light of life depart,
And every fiend of Hell methinks
Enjoys the anguish of my heart.
What shall I do if all my love,
My hopes, my toil, are cast away
And if there be no God above
To hear and bless me when I pray?
If this be vain delusion all,
If death be an eternal sleep,
And none can hear my secret call,
Or see the silent tears I weep,
Text as published in Poems (1846)
While Faith is with me, I am blest;
It turns my darkest night to day;
But while I clasp it to my breast,
I often feel it slide away.
Then, cold and dark, my spirit sinks,
To see my light of life depart;
And every fiend of Hell, methinks,
Enjoys the anguish of my heart.
What shall I do, if all my love,
My hopes, my toil, are cast away,
And if there be no God above,
To hear and bless me when I pray?
If this be vain delusion all,
If death be an eternal sleep,
And none can hear my secret call,
Or see the silent tears I weep!
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| BronteMA28.pdf | 15.07 MB |
“A Hymn”, p. 10
To Cowper and other poems : autograph manuscript of 9 poems, signed, 1842–1845
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1900
“A Hymn” (pp. 8–11)
Dated 10 September 1843, when Brontë was twenty-three. First published in Poems (1846) with title “The Doubter’s Prayer.” Poem 23 in Chitham (1979).
O help me God! For thou alone,
Canst my distracted soul relieve
Forsake it not – it is thine own,
Though weak yet longing to believe.
Oh, drive these cruel doubts away,
And make me know that thou art God;
A Faith that shines by night and day,
Will lighten every earthly load.
If I believe that Jesus died
And waking rose to reigt reign above
Then surely selfish sorrow sin and pride
Must yield to peace and joy hope and Love.
And all the blessed words he said
Text as published in Poems (1846)
Oh, help me, God! For thou alone
Canst my distracted soul relieve;
Forsake it not: it is thine own,
Though weak, yet longing to believe.
Oh, drive these cruel doubts away;
And make me know, that Thou art God!
A faith, that shines by night and day,
Will lighten every earthly load.
If I believe that Jesus died,
And, waking, rose to reign above;
Then surely Sorrow, Sin, and Pride,
Must yield to Peace, and Hope, and Love.
And all the blessed words He said
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| BronteMA28.pdf | 15.07 MB |