And this hath now his heart, And unto this he frames his song: To dialogues of business, love, or strife; But it will not be long Ere this be thrown aside, And with new joy and pride Filling from time to time his "humorous stage" Were endless imitation. Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie Thou best philosopher, who yet dost keep On whom those truths do rest, Which we are toiling all our lives to find, Heavy as frost, and deep almost as life! O joy! that in our embers The thought of our past years in me doth breed For that which is most worthy to be blest ; Of childhood, whether busy or at rest, With new-fledged hope still fluttering in his breast: Not for these I raise The song of thanks and praise, But for those obstinate questionings Blank misgivings of a creature Those shadowy recollections, Are yet the fountain light of all our day, Uphold us, cherish, and have power to make Which neither listlessness, nor mad endeavor, Nor all that is at enmity with joy, Can utterly abolish or destroy! Hence, in a season of calm weather, Our souls have sight of that immortal sea Can in a moment travel thither, And see the children sport upon the shore, Then sing, ye birds! sing, sing a joyous song! As to the tabor's sound! We in thought will join your throng; Ye that through your hearts to-day What though the radiance which was once so bright Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; Which, having been, must ever be; In the faith that looks through death,- To live beneath your more habitual sway. I love the brooks, which down their channels fret, Even more than when I tripped lightly as they; The innocent brightness of a new-born day Is lovely yet; The clouds that gather round the setting sun Another race hath been, and other palms are won. 31 ODE то DUTY. STERN daughter of the voice of God! Who art a light to guide, a rod To check the erring, and reprove ; Thou, who art victory and law When empty terrors overawe; From vain temptations dost set free; And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity! There are who ask not if thine eye Be on them; who, in love and truth, Where no misgiving is, rely Upon the genial sense of youth: Glad hearts! without reproach or blot; Who do thy work and know it not; Oh! if through confidence misplaced They fail, thy saving arms, dread Power! around them cast. Serene will be our days and bright, When love is an unerring light, And joy its own security; And they a blissful course may hold Yet find thy firm support, according to their need. I, loving freedom, and untried; No sport of every random gust, Yet being to myself a guide, Too blindly have reposed my trust: And oft, when in my heart was heard Thy timely mandate, I deferred The task, in smoother walks to stray; But thee I now would serve more strictly, if I may. Through no disturbance of my soul, Or strong compunction in me wrought, I supplicate for thy control; But in the quietness of thought: Me this unchartered freedom tires; My hopes no more must change their name, Stern Lawgiver! yet thou dost wear The Godhead's most benignant grace ; Nor know we any thing so fair As is the smile upon thy face: Flowers laugh before thee on their beds; And fragrance in thy footing treads; Thou dost preserve the stars from wrong; And the most ancient heavens, through Thee, are fresh and strong. To humbler functions, awful Power! Unto thy guidance from this hour; Oh! let my weakness have an end! Give unto me, made lowly wise, The spirit of self-sacrifice; The confidence of reason give; And in the light of truth thy bondman let me live! THE LABORER'S NOONDAY HYMN. Up to the throne of God is borne Nor will He turn his ear aside |