ON ANOTHER'S SORROW. CAN I see another's woe, And not be in sorrow too? Can I see another's grief, And not seek for kind relief? Can I see a falling tear, And not feel my sorrow's share? Can a mother sit and hear, And can He, who smiles on all, Hear the wren, with sorrows small, Hear the small bird's grief and care, Hear the woes that infants bear? And not sit beside the nest, And not sit both night and day, Oh, no! never can it be! He doth give His joy to all : Think not thou canst sigh a sigh, And thy Maker is not by: Think not thou canst weep a tear, And thy Maker is not near. Oh! He gives to us His joy, That our griefs He may destroy: Till our grief is fled and gone He doth sit by us and moan. THE VOICE OF THE ANCIENT BARD. YOUTH of delight! come hither Doubt is fled, and clouds of reason, Dark disputes and artful teazing. Tangled roots perplex her ways; How many have fallen there! They stumble all night over bones of the dead; And feel-they know not what save care; And wish to lead others, when they should be led. EARTH'S ANSWER. EARTH raised up her head From the darkness dread and drear, Her light fled, (Stony dread!) And her locks covered with grey despair. 'Prisoned on watery shore, Starry jealousy does keep my den Weeping o'er, I hear the father of the ancient men. Selfish father of men! Cruel, jealous, selfish fear! Can delight, Chain'd in night, The virgins of youth and morning bear? Does spring hide its joy, When buds and blossoms grow? Does the sower Sow by night? Or the ploughman in darkness plough? Break this heavy chain, That does freeze my bones around! Selfish, vain, Eternal bane, That free love with bondage bound.' |