Twice
I took my heart in my hand
(O my love, O my love), I said: Let me fall or stand, Let me live or die, But this once hear me speak-- (O my love, O my love)-- Yet a woman's words are weak; You should speak, not I.
You took my heart in your hand
With a friendly smile, 10 With a critical eye you scanned, Then set it down, And said: It is still unripe, Better wait awhile; Wait while the skylarks pipe, Till the corn grows brown.
As you set it down it broke--
Broke, but I did not wince; I smiled at the speech you spoke, At your judgement that I heard: 20 But I have not often smiled Since then, nor questioned since, Nor cared for corn-flowers wild, Nor sung with the singing bird.
I take my heart in my hand,
O my God, O my God, My broken heart in my hand: Thou hast seen, judge Thou. My hope was written on sand, O my God, O my God: 30 Now let thy judgement stand-- Yea, judge me now.
This contemned of a man,
This marred one heedless day, This heart take Thou to scan Both within and without: Refine with fire its gold, Purge thou its dross away-- Yea, hold it in Thy hold, Whence none can pluck it out. 40
I take my heart in my hand--
I shall not die, but live-- Before Thy face I stand; I, for Thou callest such: All that I have I bring, All that I am I give, Smile Thou and I shall sing, But shall not question much.
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