text: -- "Why is thy mourning thus?" he said "Why thus doth sorrow bow thy head? Why faltereth thus thy faith that so Abroad despairing thou dost go? As if the God who gave thee breath Held not the keys of life and death! When from the flocks that feed about A single lamb thou choosest out Is it not that which seemeth best That thou dost take yet leave the rest? Yes! such thy wont; and even so With his choice little ones below Doth the Good Shepherd deal; he breaks Their earthly bands and homeward takes Early ere sin hath render'd dim The image of the seraphim!" Heart-struck the shepherd home return'd; Again within his bosom burn'd The light of faith; and from that day He trode serene life's onward way