Sorrow

Count each affliction, whether light or grave,   God's messenger sent down to thee; do thou   With courtesy receive him; rise and bow; And, ere his shadow pass thy threshold, crave Permission first his heavenly feet to lave;   Then lay before him all thou hast; allow   No cloud of passion to usurp thy brow, Or mar thy hospitality; no wave Of mortal tumult to obliterate   The soul's marmoreal calmness: Grief should be, Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate;   Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free; Strong to consume small troubles; to commend Great thoughts, grave thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end.