Expectans Expectavi

'Man, Woman, and Girl at Prayer in Church', 1864, Léon Loire (1821-1898), Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

Teach me to tarry till Thou bidst me go,
Waiting in patience, listening quietly,
Resting contented, sleeping dreamlessly
Like Samuel of old, for well I know
That Thou wilt call me when ‘’Tis time to go’.

Teach me to tarry till the light doth shine,
Knowing full well there is no night with Thee;
And if I cannot work, then tranquilly
Offer my worship in my prison here
Till in the East some stretch of dawn appear.

Teach me to tarry till the fight be done,
And to die fighting though I seem to fail
With dented helm and broken hand and mail,
All hewn and tarnished, so my poor life’s loss
May life where falls the Shadow of Thy Cross.

Teach me to tarry till Thou bidst me come;
Teach me to tarry till my heart is pure,
Trusting thy love for me Thy purpose sure:
Lord, Thou wilt fit me for Thy Father’s Home,
Teach me to tarry, but yet bid me – Come!

Father Andrew SDC, 1869-1946