"Thanks to thee, Holy One,
Dwelling above-
Patron of maidens,
And mother of love!
Thanks! for the new life
which flows in my veins;
Thanks! for the past strife
Of sorrows and pains.
Thanks! for all suffering,
That in its stern rigor
Hath given my spirit
New beauty and vigor:
Thanks! for the sunshine
Which dawns on my soul-
Making the clouds of grief
Backwards to roll.
Thanks! for this feeling,
Whatever it be,
Thro' all my sense stealing
Like sweet melody;
Thanks! 'tis no evil
Which hideth away,
When at thine altar
My soul kneels to pray:
Thanks! that it leads me,
With heart warm and free,
Into thy presence,
As if 'twere from thee:
Thanks! for this feeling then,
Like thy love pure-
Help me, chaste mother,
That thus it endure:
Goodness its fountain-
Oh! let it still rise
Up, where the source is
Which goodness supplies.
Thanks then, thanks ever,
Blest Mother above-
Patron of loving hearts,
Thanks for this love!"
Kinney, E. C. (1855). Felicita. New York: James S. Dickerson.
The excerpt I chose was from pp. 117-118
