For though the hours recalled be bright and glad, Still earnest memory ever will be sad.
When late I changed the still unpeopled air Of the clear South for this my mother clime, I quivered with delight, as every where Sweet birds in happy snatches hailed the prime ; A throstle's twitter made old walks arise, With lilac-bunches dancing in my eyes.
What love we, about those we love the best, Better than their dear voices? At what cost Would one not gather to an aching breast Each little word of some whom we have lost? And oh how blank to hear, in some far place, A voice we know, and see a stranger's face.
I never hold my truth to God more leal Than when it thunders; that monotonous roll Has after-lightning potent to reveal
Many dark words on Faith's sin-shaded scroll: Talk with a stormy sky, man! prone to deem That nothing is, because of thine own Dream.
And now within the hush of evening waves, Cast by light force upon a shingly shore, My Spirit rests; the ruins and fresh graves That strewed its earthly path here vex no more: Rocked on the soothing surge, its life is all One soft attraction and one mellow fall.
EVIL, every living hour, Holds us in its wilful hand,
Save as Thou, essential Power! May'st be gracious to withstand: Pain within the subtle flesh, Heavy lids that cannot close, Hearts that Hope will not refresh,—
Hand of healing! interpose!
Tyranny's strong breath is tainting
Nature's sweet and vivid air,
Nations silently are fainting Or up-gather in despair: Not to those distracted wills Trust the judgment of their woes; While the cup of anguish fills, Arm of Justice! interpose!
Pleasures night and day are hovering Round their prey of weary hours, Weakness and unrest discovering In the best of human powers: Ere the fond delusions tire, Ere envenomed passion grows From the root of vain desire,- Mind of Wisdom! interpose!
Now no more in tuneful motion Life with love and duty glides ; Reason's meteor-lighted ocean Bears us down its mazy tides; Head is clear and hand is strong, But our heart no haven knows; Sun of Truth! the night is long,— Let thy radiance interpose !
WHY wilt Thou ever thus before me stand,
Always between me and the happy land
Thou art no midnight phantom of remorse, That I would lay :-
My life has run a plain unnoted course, In open day.
I would enjoy the Present, I would live Like one new-born :
I value not the gifts Thou hast to give- Knowledge and Scorn.
I would, for some short moments, cease to judge
And this small bliss Thou wilt persist to grudge,
EVIL, every living hour, Holds us in its wilful hand,
Save as Thou, essential Power! May'st be gracious to withstand: Pain within the subtle flesh, Heavy lids that cannot close, Hearts that Hope will not refresh,—
Hand of healing! interpose!
Tyranny's strong breath is tainting
Nature's sweet and vivid air,
Nations silently are fainting Or up-gather in despair : Not to those distracted wills Trust the judgment of their woes; While the cup of anguish fills, Arm of Justice! interpose!
Pleasures night and day are hovering Round their prey of weary hours, Weakness and unrest discovering In the best of human powers: Ere the fond delusions tire, Ere envenomed passion grows From the root of vain desire,— Mind of Wisdom! interpose!
Now no more in tuneful motion Life with love and duty glides ; Reason's meteor-lighted ocean Bears us down its mazy tides; Head is clear and hand is strong, But our heart no haven knows; Sun of Truth! the night is long,- Let thy radiance interpose!
WHY wilt Thou ever thus before me stand,
Always between me and the happy land Thy shade is cast.
Thou art no midnight phantom of remorse,
My life has run a plain unnoted course, In open day.
I would enjoy the Present, I would live Like one new-born :
I value not the gifts Thou hast to give- Knowledge and Scorn.
I would, for some short moments, cease to judge
And this small bliss Thou wilt persist to grudge, Still haunting there.
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