The Burden

"The Gardener" in 'Debits and Credits'
One grief on me is laid
Each day of every year,
Wherein no soul can aid,
Whereof no soul can hear:
Whereto no end is seen
Except to grieve again-
Ah, Mary Magdalene,
Where is there greater pain?

To dream on dear disgrace
Each hour of every day-
To bring no honest face
To aught I do or say:
To lie from morn till e'en-
To know my lies are vain-
Ah, Mary Magdalene,
Where can be greater pain?

To watch my steadfast fear
Attend mine every way
Each day of every year-
Each hour of every day:
To burn, and chill between-
To quake and rage again-
Ah, Mary Magdalene,
Where shall be greater pain:

One grave to me was given-
To guard till Judgment Day-
But God looked down from Heaven
And rolled the Stone away!
One day of all my years-
One hour of that one day-
His Angel saw my tears
And rolled the Stone away!