Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/608

 592 ANNA RICKEY ROBERTS. [1850-60. Where labor is with plenty ever blessed, So many a mind, like that calm lake, may Where wealth awaits the hardy hands be that toil, Deeper than the unpracticed eye avouH And Freedom's sun with soul-inspiring deem. beam. Holding its treasures safe, while joyously Gilds the fair bosom of thy noble stream. Its light waves dance beneath the sun's bright gleam ; But, when the darkened horizon foretells The wildness of the coming tempest's strife, Undauntedly the fearless bosom swells. To battle with the adverse storms of life. A SIMILE. As a smooth, quiet lake, whose crystal wave Scarce ripples with the passing breeze, then lies A THOUGHT. Mirroring the azure of the summer skies. How like our childhood's tears and smiles. With bosom motionless and tranquil, save Its rainbow hopes, its April showers. The ripphng murmur of each tiny wave Are life's sad cares, its pleasant wiles, Breaking upon the shore ; the sand be- Its bitter griefs, its sunny hours ! low. A child in sorrow bent her head. Like liquid silver, in the sunlight gleams ; A cloud of grief her young brow shad- And water-plants and pebbles, white as ed— snow, " Ah, see ! my pretty flower is dead. Glow with a brighter luster in its beams : The stem is broke, the leaves ai'e faded." They look so near the surface, you would think She wept ; but while the rising sigh To stretch an arm over the water's brink Was trembling in her gentle bosom. That you might reach them ; but the lake She spied a painted butterfly, is deep. And soon forgot the withered blossom : And the still wave, so motionless and And thus, within the web of life. clear. Many a golden thread is gleaming : Can rouse its curling billows from their Peace smooths the gloomy brow of strife : sleep. Through sorrow's night hope's star is And dash in startled fury on the ear. beaming.