SYMBOLS. I WATCHED a rosebud very long Brought on by dew and sun and shower, Waiting to see the perfect flower: Then, when I thought it should be strong, And fell at even-song. I watched a nest from day to day, Then in my wrath I broke the bough Hoping its scent should fill the air; But the dead branch spoke from the sod, CONSIDER The lilies OF THE FIELD. 95 "CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD.” F LOWERS preach to us if we will hear : The rose saith in the dewy morn, I am most fair; Yet all my loveliness is born The poppy saith amid the corn: Of humble lessons we would read. But not alone the fairest flowers: Along the roadside where we pass, To nourish one small seed. : THE WORLD. SONNET. BY day she wooes me, soft, exceeding fair : But all night as the moon so changeth she; Loathsome and foul with hideous leprosy, And subtle serpents gliding in her hair. By day she wooes me to the outer air, Ripe fruits, sweet flowers, and full satiety: But through the night, a beast she grins at me, A very monster void of love and prayer. By day she stands a lie: by night she stands, With pushing horns and clawed and clutching hands. My soul to her, give her my life and youth, Till my feet, cloven too, take hold on hell? I A TESTIMONY. SAID of laughter, it is vain. Of mirth I said, what profits it? Man walks in a vain shadow; he The things that were shall be again. Our treasures moth and rust corrupt, Or thieves break through and steal, or they Make themselves wings and fly away. One man made merry as he supped, Nor guessed how when that night grew dim His soul would be required of him. We build our houses on the sand, All things are vanity, I said, - The rich man dies; and the poor dies; The worm feeds sweetly on the dead. Whate'er thou lackest, keep this trust : All in the end shall have but dust: The one inheritance, which best And worst alike shall find and share : And there the weary be at rest; Man flourishes as a green leaf, And as a leaf doth pass away; Or, as a shade that cannot stay And leaves no track, his course is brief: Yet man doth hope and fear and plan Till he is dead: O foolish man! -- Our eyes cannot be satisfied With seeing, nor our ears be filled With hearing yet we plant and build And buy and make our borders wide; We gather wealth, we gather care, But know not who shall be our heir. Why should we hasten to arise So early, and so late take rest? Our labor is not good; our best Hopes fade; our heart is stayed on lies: |