So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan, that moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, THE LAPSE OF TIME. LAMENT who will, in fruitless tears, The speed with which our moments fly; I sigh not over vanished years, But watch the years that hasten by. Look, how they come, a mingled crowd - Of bright and dark, but rapid days; Beneath them, like a summer cloud, The wide world changes as I gaze. What! grieve that time has brought so soon The sober age of manhood on ? As idly might I weep, at noon, To see the blush of morning gone. Could I give up the hopes that glow In prospect, like Elysian isles; And let the charming future go, With all her promises and smiles? The future! cruel were the power Whose doom would tear thee from my heart. Thou sweetener of the present hour! We cannot no- we will not part. Oh, leave me, still, the rapid flight The months that touch, with added grace, In whose arch eye and speaking face The years, that o'er each sister land And nurse her strength, till she shall stand. Till younger commonwealths, for aid, True-time will seam and blanch my brow - And should no foul dishonor lie Upon my head, when I am gray, Then, haste thee, Time - 'tis kindness all Thou fliest and bear'st away our woes, A lighter burden on the heart. TO THE EVENING WIND. SPIRIT that breathest through my lattice, thou And swelling the white sail. I welcome thee Inhale thee in the fulness of delight; And languid forms rise up, and pulses bound Livelier, at coming of the wind of night; And, languishing to hear thy grateful sound, Lies the vast inland stretched beyond the sight. Go forth, into the gathering shade; go forth, God's blessing breathed upon the fainting earth! Go, rock the little wood-bird in his nest, Curl the still waters, bright with stars, and rouse |