Page:Rocky Mountain life.djvu/325

 see!

IV.

But, why thus fear? Give place, ye visions dread!

Ye thoughts of boding danger, drearisome,

Cease to oppress! Is not the path I tread

So by Omniscience mark'd, that perils come

Not near, to even hurt a single hair,

Without His wise permit? Are not my days

Securely meted out, and all my ways

So guarded, too, that thronging dangers share

No part in harm's advance or death's progress

Till all are told? And can my vigilance,

Father'd by childish fear, make more or less

The given sum? Cheerly, draw courage thence,

My cowering heart; feel safety here. Give room

To other thoughts, and chase these clouds of gloom!

V.

Thus, banished fear, at reason's bid, I cast

My willing gaze toward heaven. In every star

That forms the sparkling crown of night, though fast

In regions of unbounded space, so far

As scarcely seen by mortal ken, —appears

Some guardian angel, robed in light, to keep

His ceaseless vigils o'er my couch of sleep,

Lest in my slumbering moments danger near

To cut the thread of life, and thus undo

The purposes of God. The silver moon

Sheds forth her radiance unconfined, and through

The desert wild to flower and herb gives boon,

And decks each blade with dewy pearls, and pours

Them on the earth, to cheer my waking hours.

VI.

Nature's vast caravansera, above,

Below, around, on either side, begirt

With midnight's varied splendors, scenes I love,

Becomes enchantment's self, while zephyrs sport

The fragrance of the wild-flowers multiform,

And greet my nostrils with their rich perfume,

To please my senses. Thus my thoughts resume

Their wonted course, and hush the passing storm

Of fear. Alone! Not lonely I. For here

E'en loneliness companion proves to me,

And solitude is company.

My ear Drinks music from these savage sounds; I see

Amusements in these forms; my heart's as strong,

And easy beats, as 'mid a city's throng!