NOT LONG by Christina Rossetti

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 28, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 22.

NOT LONG.

By Christina Rossetti

My life is long—not so, the angels say, Who watch me waste it, trembling whilst they weigh Against eternity my lavished day.

My life is long—Christ’s word is different; The heat and burden of the day were spent On Him, to me refreshing times are sent.

Give me an angel’s heart, that day nor night Rests not from adoration, its delight Still crying, “Holy, holy!” in the height.

Give me the heart of saints, who, laid at rest In better paradise than Abraham’s breast, In the everlasting Rock have made their nest.

Give me Thy heart, O Christ! who thirty-three Slow years of sorrow countedst short for me, That where Thou art, there Thy beloved might be. —Christina Rossetti.