What's earthly hope ?-a worthless thing,
For man's illusion given ;—
A fancied form to which we cling
As 'twere a shape of Heaven.
What's earthly hope ?-a glittering light
That shines but to betray;—
That feigns to guide us on aright
But only leads astray.
What's earthly hope ?-a jewelled cup
That holds a poisoned draught;—
Yet thoughtless men still snatch it up
And still the drug is quaffed.
I've held thee long, thou worthless thing,
For man's illusion given ;-
To earthly hope no more I cling,
In nought I trust but Heaven!
Smile through thy tears like the blush moss-rose,
When the warm rains fall around it;
Thy fond heart now may seek repose,
From the rankling griefs that wound it.
For a parent's loss the eye may fill,
And weep till the heart runs over ; But the pang is longer and deeper still, That wails o'er the grave of a lover.
Smile through thy tears like the pale primrose,
When the zephyrs play around it ;
In me let thy trembling heart repose,
I will ward the sorrows that wound it.
Ah! vain were the wish, such love to crave,
As warmed thy maiden bosom;
Ere Henry slept, where the alders wave
O'er the night-shade's drooping blossom.
I saw her laid in the silent tomb,
And yet I wept not her early doom,
For I thought of a land of beauty and light,
Where there is no shadow, or darkness, or night;
And I knelt by her bed, and we prayed to be
Soon united in this bright eternity;
And when I saw her young cheek fade,
And death and pain around her bed,
And her beautiful eyes grow dark and dim,
I saw that she raised her thoughts to Him,
Who could waft her soul from sorrow and pain,
To a land where joy and happiness reign ;
And she placed her cold pale hand in mine,
And she smiled and spoke of things divine.
She spoke of a God of peace and of love
Who reigns in a world of beauty above!
A Saviour who had died, that we
That land of loveliness might see;
And she folded her hands upon her breast,
And she prayed that her soul might be at rest:
Yet she sometimes fondly and sadly took
Of my sorrowing face a farewell look,
And then turned away her bright'ning eye,
And again addressed the throne on high,
And death came on her like the gentle sleep
Of an innocent child, so calm and deep; ·
And she lay there like a pale young flower,
Lovely and fair in her dying hour;
And, Oh! it was beautiful to see,
A soul thus pass to eternity.
Oft have I thought, if I should die,
And leave the place of love I hold,
Oblivion soon the tear might dry,
And hearts, now warm for me, grow cold.
How would my inmost soul be chilled,
Could it, that back to life I came,
And found the seat I left was filled,
Myself remembered but in name.
No room for me by hearth or board,
No thought for me in head or breast,
Felt e'en by those I most adored,
An undesired intruding guest.
Well! such may be-yet in my heart
Full many a still loved dead one dwells,
Them no new loves shall bid depart,
Nor e'er usurp their sacred cells.
A smile should light them as they came,
(And fain would I their steps recal,)
And they should find me yet the same,
The kiss for some-the heart for all.-
Children of God, who, pacing slow,
Your pilgrim path pursue,
In strength and weakness, joy and woe,
To God's high calling true.—
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