There is a change in all below;
Nought sure beneath the sky:
Suns rise and set, tides ebb and flow,
And man but lives and die.

Our joys and sorrows, hopes and fears,
Still course each other on:
A blessing in our path appears
We grasp, and it is gone!

No drop of honey, but a sting
Within it lies concealed;
No hour that passes, but its wing
Away some good has wheeled.

The joyous sun that lights today
But clouds tomorrow's sky:
The stars but shine to fall away;
The world but lives to die.

And let them pass - each earthly thing -
While, Lord, 'tis mine to stand
On Thy eternal word, and cling
To Thy almighty hand.

Though sun and moon should sink in gloom,
Thy promise ne'er declines:
Dissolving worlds but leave Thee room
To work Thy vast designs.

Linked to Thy truth I hold me up,
Though earth from 'neath me slide:
And take content whatever cup
Thy wisdom may provide.

Bitter or sweet, I little heed:
All, all is sweet to me,
While I my title clearly read
To joys at last with Thee.