Struck dumb by God! how cruel seem the words!
And yet thrice blest the heart where falls the blow.
A life transformed is his who suffers thus,
For it is given only such to know
The rapture of the mighty wings of faith
Which elevate the soul to realms above,
Where pain is sweet and wounds give only joy.
His soul is charmed—a captive held by love.

No more to trace the path by signs he sees,
Be they beneath the noonday sun most clear­
Or dim because at dusk the shadows fall.
For blinded thus by God he knows no fear.
His eyes are closed, and yet his vision fills
With things celestial in transcendent light.
The glory of the unseen world is his
Whom God makes blind to earth’s fair day or night.

His ears are deaf, no longer does he hear
Earth voices calling him from every side.
It matters not how sweet and clear they be­
Or rough with threats—he does not turn aside.
To every sound made deaf—that he might hear
The music of the infinite and know
The harmonies of God, for such are his
Whom God makes deaf to voices here below.

Struck dumb! no longer is there gift of song,
A silence fills his soul serene and deep.
The music of his lips is wasted breath.
In place of song ‘tis given him to weep.
His trembling lips are mute-and yet they speak.
Healed now to sing because they kissed God’s rod.
The song must I live since it is born from death.
Thrice blest indeed the man struck dumb by God.