Sonnet Xcv. Poem by Henry Alford

While the vain world around us buys and sells,
And falls before its pomp and vanity,
Each day, O Lord, in humble wise to Thee
We come, to draw from Thy salvation's wells
Waters of life: each day the mourner tells
To Thee his tale of woe: the healing tree
Sheds every day its leaves, priceless and free,
Whose balm the fever of the serpent quells.

Thou blessed One, to cruel pangs for us
Resigned, accept our contrite sacrifice:
Feed us with grace each day in new supplies:
Look we on Thee whom we have pierced, and thus,
Though sorrow rend our heart, and flood our eyes,
Shall faith above the gloom in steady radiance rise.