How slow to learn this sacred truth are we,
That happiness lies in conformity
Of will to some superior; and that he
Who owns no will - nor other guide hath he
But love of self - knows no felicity.
This is Creation's law. Oh, look and see
The starry skies, where all obediently
Move round their central orbs, and be
Each and with all a perfect galaxy
Of order, clothed with light, resplendently.
Look round upon the earth. The seasons be
The servants of the Lord obediently.
Matter, so dull and heavy, cannot be
Out of the circle of that harmony
Where all in order moves, mysteriously.
The laws of order and obedience be
The brute creation's instinct, verily -
How its intelligence unfailingly
Fits into God's designs, which ever be
The witnesses of His Benignity.
One Word of His sufficeth. Verily,
From the beginning, herb and flower and tree
Never have failed their lawful destiny.
They have no will: God's Will for them shall be
Circumference and centre, changelessly.
Such is the Law of Nature. God can be
Alone its centre. God alone can be
The Creature's full perfection. Hath not He
The means to that perfection graciously
Placed in our hearts? Him to serve - willfully?
Our will is ours - to be, or not to be
The heirs of Life. No servile slaves are we,
But free-born children. Heirs of Heaven we be;
Yet on this one condition - reverently
To learn and do God's Will unceasingly.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote