LEAN HARD. Child of my Love-lean hardAnd let me feel the pressure of thy care. I know thy burden, child-I shaped itPoised it in mine own hand-made no proportion Of its weight to thine unaided strength ; For even as I laid it on, I said'I shall be near, and while she leans on me, 'This burden shall be mine, not hers; 'So shall I keep my child within the circling arms "Of mine own love.' Here lay it down, nor fear To impose it on a shoulder which upholds The government of worlds. Yet closer comeThou art not near enough-I would embrace thy care, So I might feel my child reposing on my breast. Thou lovest me? I know it-doubt not, then, But loving me-lean hard. LINES WRITTEN ON READING “LEAN HARD." And lay on Thee the burden of this pain: This murmuring impatience too-T hou know' Is harder still to bear: my fainting heart Must find its 'shelter 'neath the circling arms Of thine own deep love. Firm, clasp it there Take a ll my b urden-Th ou said 'st it shall be Thine. Leaning on Thee I know I shall be strong.
