some darling child, whom God hath taken to himself? These are no days of miracle, but dost thou not know that thy child shall rise again from the dead? Let thine own heart be given to God, and then thou shalt meet thy darling one, never to be separated. PASSAGES. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. ECCL. I. 17. ASK of the dreams which come to bless Life's early and unsullied hours; Which scatter o'er its wilderness Their golden sunshine and their flowers :— Of hope and promise to the heart, Breathing in balm, like winds of spring Why do they all so soon depart? Earth has no light which lingers on, Ere grief comes forth her pall to throw On pleasure's chill and lonely grave. Fame, youth, and hope of earthly bliss, Ask, of that blest and blessing king He basked in the luxuriant light There was no blessing not his own, The voice of fame was in his ear, Gold, pearls and treasure were his dower, He worshipped love in summer bower, Of unalloyed and calm delight; The earth laughed out in robes of green, And heaven's blue arch was bathed in light! And on the rich and silver air, Voluptuous music poured its strain, And in his path the young and fair Yet it was vain! upon his eye It had no gladsome voice for him; These had no charm; the song, the glee, The praises of the multitude; The wild bird's warbled melody, Stealing o'er flowers with gems All, all were vanity: the glow, bedewed: The sunlight of the wide world's smile, Had naught which could the heart beguile. |