text:  Be pitiful O God! "We meet together at the feast-- To private mirth betake us-- We stare down in the winecup lest Some vacant chair should shake us! We name delight and pledge it round-- 'It shall be ours to-morrow!' God's seraphs! do your voices sound As sad in naming sorrow? Be pitiful O God! "We sit together with the skies The steadfast skies above us: We look into each other's eyes -- 'And how long will you love us?'-- The eyes grow dim with prophecy The voices low and breathless-- 'Till death us part!'--O words to be Our _best_ for love the deathless! Be pitiful dear God! "We tremble by the harmless bed Of one loved and departed-- Our tears drop on the lips that said Last night 'Be stronger-hearted!' O God--to clasp those fingers close And yet to feel so lonely!-- To see a light on dearest brows Which is the daylight only! Be pitiful O God! "The happy children come to us And look up in our faces: They ask us--Was it thus and thus When we were in their places?-- We cannot speak:--we see anew The hills we used to live in; And feel our mother's smile press through The kisses she is giving