THE WORLD is wise, for the world is old; | |
| Five thousand years their tale have told; | |
| Yet the world is not happy, as the world might be,— | |
| Why is it? why is it? Oh, answer me! | |
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| The world is kind if we ask not too much; | 5 |
| It is sweet to the taste, and smooth to the touch; | |
| Yet the world is not happy, as the world might be,— | |
| Why is it? why is it? Oh, answer me! | |
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| The world is strong, with an awful strength, | |
| And full of life in its breadth and length; | 10 |
| Yet the world is not happy, as the world might be,— | |
| Why is it? why is it? Oh, answer me! | |
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| The world is so beautiful one may fear | |
| Its borrowed beauty might make it too dear, | |
| Yet the world is not happy, as the world might be— | 15 |
| Why is it? why is it? Oh, answer me! | |
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| The world is good in its own poor way, | |
| There is rest by night and high spirits by day; | |
| Yet the world is not happy, as the world might be,— | |
| Why is it? why is it? Oh, answer me! | 20 |
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| The cross shines fair, and the church-bell rings, | |
| And the earth is peopled with holy things; | |
| Yet the world is not happy, as the world might be,— | |
| Why is it? why is it? Oh, answer me! | |
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| What lackest thou, world? for God made thee of old; | 25 |
| Why,—thy faith hath gone out, and thy love grown cold; | |
| Thou art not happy, as thou mightest be, | |
| For the want of Christ’s simplicity. | |
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| It is blood that thou lackest, thou poor old world! | |
| Who shall make thy love hot for thee, frozen old world? | 30 |
| Thou art not happy, as thou mightest be, | |
| For the love of dear Jesus is little in thee. | |
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| Poor world! if thou cravest a better day, | |
| Remember that Christ must have his own way; | |
| I mourn thou art not as thou mightest be, | 35 |
| But the love of God would do all for thee. | |
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