Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/159

  Oh, give an active life of peace and truth, Strength to my heart, and wisdom to my youth; A sphere of usefulness—the boon to fill That sphere with duty, and perform thy will; An angel's zeal to grace my little span, And the meek soul of him who died for man.

And when at last the heavy shades shall fall, Of that dark dream which comes but once to all, Whether in youth, maturity, or age, Oh, let thy gentle care my pains assuage, My faith support, my gather'd fears remove, And tell my spirit of thy pard'ning love. Then with firm heart I'd tempt the foaming tides, Which this dark land from that of bliss divides, Lift the dim eye to catch the smile of Heaven, Nerve the rent heart that feels its sins forgiven, Meet with calm brow the dashing billow's roar, And land with safety on the eternal shore.

 

THE evening blast is wild and loud, Like winds of winter bleak, And slowly through a wat'ry cloud. The pale moon lifts her cheek. 