| |
| WHEN Dorcas worked to clothe the poor, | |
| A neighbour or a friend | |
| Sometimes came tapping at the door, | |
| A little help to lend; | |
| Then Dorcas said, “Come in, my dear; | 5 |
| All willing hands are welcome here.” | |
| |
| A friendly light was in her eyes, | |
| And pity on her tongue, | |
| Her words were mild as well as wise; | |
| And round her room there hung | 10 |
| Nice things to make the children glad, | |
| And warm ones for the old and sad. | |
| |
| And everybody in the town | |
| Knew Dorcas, as she went, | |
| In any weather up and down, | 15 |
| On doing good intent; | |
| And blest her for her cheerful face, | |
| The kindest woman in the place. | |
| |
| But tender-hearted Dorcas died; | |
| New tears the widows shed; | 20 |
| For, “Who such garments can provide, | |
| Now she is gone?” they said; | |
| Dorcas who by the pleasant sea | |
| Had spent her life so usefully. | |
| |
| She died: they bore her as was meet, | 25 |
| With many a heavy sigh, | |
| A little further from the street | |
| And nearer to the sky: | |
| Now in a spacious upper room | |
| She waits the low and narrow tomb. | 30 |
| |
| “O Peter, can she live again? | |
| This is a grievous day.” | |
| Said he, “Submit, and not complain; | |
| But I will kneel and pray: | |
| ‘Lord, on thy sorrowing people smile; | 35 |
| Give Dorcas back a little while.’” | |
| |
| She came! “But not for long,” she said; | |
| “For God will others raise | |
| Whose loving-kindness, in my stead, | |
| His gracious name shall praise | 40 |
| I heard a voice in Paradise | |
| Say, ‘Loving-kindness never dies.’” | |
| |
| And Dorcas in her daughters lives | |
| Industrious and kind; | |
| For help her good example gives | 45 |
| To willing hand and mind. | |
| Lord, in our hearts her spirit stir; | |
| She followed Thee; we follow her. | |
| |
