LINES WRITTEN IN A CHURCHYARD. 385 A happier lot than mine, and larger light, Await thee there; for thou hast bowed thy will For me, the sordid cares in which I dwell, Shrink and consume my heart, as heat the scroll; Yet though thou wear'st the glory of the sky, Shalt thou not teach me, in that calmer home, The wisdom which is love--till I become WILLIAM C. BRYANT. Lines written in a Churchyard. "It is good for us to be here. If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." METHINKS it is good to be here; If thou wilt, let us build-but for whom? Nor Elias nor Moses appear; But the shadows of eve that encompass with gloom Shall we build to Ambition? Ah no! Affrighted he shrinketh away; For see, they would pen him below In a small narrow cave and begirt with cold clay, To Beauty? Ah no! she forgets The charms which she wielded before; Nor knows the foul worm that he frets The skin which but yesterday fools could adore, Shall we build to the purple of Pride? To the trappings which dizen the proud? Alas! they are all laid aside, And here 's neither dress nor adornment allowed, To Riches? Alas, 't is in vain! Who hid, in their turns have been hid: The treasures are squandered again; And here in the grave are all metals forbid, To the pleasures which Mirth can afford, The revel, the laugh, and the jeer? Ah! here is a plentiful board! But the guests are all mute as their pitiful cheer, Shall we build to Affection and Love? Ah no! they have withered and died, Friends, brothers, and sisters are laid side by side, Unto Sorrow?—the dead cannot grieve; Not a sob, not a sigh meets mine ear, Which compassion itself could relieve. SHALL I FEAR, O EARTH, THY BOSOM? 387 Unto Death, to whom monarchs must bow? Ah no! for his empire is known, And here there are trophies enow! Beneath, the cold dead, and around, the dark stone, The first tabernacle to Hope we will build, And look for the sleepers around us to rise. The second to Faith, that insures it fulfilled; And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, Who bequeathed us them both when he rose to the skies. HERBERT KNOWLES. Shall I Fear, O Earth, thy Bosom? HALL I fear, O earth, thy bosom? SHAI Shrink and faint to lay me there, Whence the fragrant lovely blossom Whence the tree, the brook, the river, Yea, whence One arose victorious No, fair Earth! a tender mother Thou hast been, and yet canst be ; And through him, my Lord and Brother, Sweet shall be my rest in thee! THOMAS DAVIS. "My Times are in Thy Hand." Psalm xxxi. 15. FATHER, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me: And the changes that are sure to come But I ask thee for a present mind I ask thee for a thankful love, I would not have the restless will Seeking for some great thing to do, Wherever in the world I am, I have a fellowship with hearts, And a lowly work of love to do, For the Lord on whom I wait. So I ask thee for the daily strength, To none that ask denied ; And a mind to blend with outward things While keeping at thy side; Content to fill a little space, If thou be glorified. A STRIP OF BLUE. And if some things I do not ask, In my cup of blessing be, I would have my spirit filled the more More careful than to serve thee much There are briers besetting every path, That call for patient care; There is a crook in every lot, And an earnest need for prayer; But a lowly heart that leans on thee, Is happy everywhere. In a service that thy love appoints For my secret heart has learned the truth And a life of self-renouncing love Is a life of liberty. ANONYMOUS. I A Strip of Blue. Do not own an inch of land, But all I see is mine The orchard and the mowing-fields, The lawns and gardens fine. 389 |