Two Sonnets

How blest is he that can but love and do,
And has no skill of speech nor trick of art
Wherewith to tell what faith approveth true,
And show for fame the treasures of his heart!
When, wisely weak, upon the path of duty
Divine accord has made his footing sure,
With humble deeds he builds his life to beauty,
Strong to achieve, and patient to endure.
But they that in the market place we meet,
Each with his trumpet and his noisy faction,
Are leaky vessels, pouring on the street
The truth they know ere it has known its action.
And which, think ye, in His benign regard,
Or words or deeds shall merit the reward ?

WHEN friends forsake, and fortune in despite
Of Thy rich bounty strips me to the wind,
With eye undimmed I mark their faithless flight,
Because in Thee a refuge still I find.
To them Thy love I may not tell or teach,
Lest they bemock, not me, but Thee through me;
What Thou dost give I may not give to speech,
Because in deeds my speech must ever be.
Oh, let me live so that my life will show
That I have treasure that they know not of ;
So if, through envy, they would seek to know
And rob my secret, they will learn Thy love;
For thus the glory will be ever Thine,
And the reward of faithful service mine.