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Henry Van Dyke - The Camp-Fires Of My FriendHenry Van Dyke - The Camp-Fires Of My Friend
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Thou hast taken me into thy tent of the world, O God, Beneath thy blue canopy I have found shelter, Therefore thou wilt not deny me the right of a guest. Naked and poor I arrived at thy door before sunset: Thou hast refreshed me with beautiful bowls of milk, As a great chief thou hast set forth food in abundance. I have loved the daily delights of thy dwelling, Thy moon and thy stars have lighted me to my bed, In the morning I have made merry with thy servants. Surely thou wilt not send me away in the darkness? There the enemy Death is lying in wait for my soul: Thou art the host of my life and I claim thy protection. Then the Lord of the tent of the world made answer: _ The right of a guest endureth for a certain time, After three days and nights cometh the day of departure. Yet hearken to me since thou fearest to go in the dark: I will make with thee a new covenant of hospitality, Behold I will come unto thee as a stranger and be thy guest. Poor and needy will I come that thou mayest entertain me, Meek and lowly will I come that thou mayest find a friend, With mercy and with truth will I come to give thee comfort. Therefore open thy heart to me and bid me welcome, In this tent of the world I will be thy brother of the bread, And when thou farest forth I will be thy companion forever._ Then my soul rested in the word of the Lord; And I saw that the curtains of the world were shaken, But I looked beyond them to the stars, The camp-fires of my eternal friend.
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