Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/147

 Whose wakeful musings are of guilt and fear, Must hover nearer earth, and less in light.

Farewell, for her, th' ideal scenes so fair - Yet not farewell her hope, since thou hast deigned, Creator of all hearts! to own and share The woe of what Thou mad'st, and we have stained.

Thou knowst our bitterness—our joys are Thine - No stranger Thou to all our wanderings wild: Nor could we bear to think, how every line Of us, Thy darkened likeness and defiled,

Stands in full sunshine of Thy piercing eye, But that Thou call'st us Brethren: sweet repose Is in that word—the LORD who dwells on high Knows all, yet loves us better than He knows.


 * The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs xvi. 31.

The bright-haired morn is glowing O'er emerald meadows gay, With many a clear gem strewing The early shepherd's way. Ye gentle elves, by Fancy seen Stealing away with night To slumber in your leafy screen, Tread more than airy light.

And see what joyous greeting The sun through heaven has shed, Though fast yon shower be fleeting, His beams have faster sped. For lo! above the western haze High towers the rainbow arch In solid span of purest rays: How stately is its march!

Pride of the dewy morning! The swain's experienced eye From thee takes timely warning, Nor trusts the gorgeous sky.