Page:National Lyrics.pdf/330

314

Fill thy bright locks with those gifts of spring, O'er thy green pathway their colours fling; Bind them in chaplet and wild festoon— What if to droop and to perish soon? Nature hath mines of such wealth—and thou Never wilt prize its delights as now!

For a day is coming to quell the tone That rings in thy laughter, thou joyous one! And to dim thy brow with a touch of care, Under the gloss of its clustering hair; And to tame the flash of thy cloudless eyes Into the stillness of autumn skies; And to teach thee that grief hath her needful part, Midst the hidden things of each human heart.

Yet shall we mourn, gentle child! for this? Life hath enough of yet holier bliss! Such be thy portion!—the bliss to look, With a reverent spirit, through nature's book;