VOICES OF THE PAST. OU wonder that my tears should flow That those unskilful sounds should fill My soul with joy and pain— How can you tell what thoughts it stirs You wonder why that common phrase, Has made me hold it dear? You marvel that I turn away From all those flowers so fair and bright, And gaze at this poor herb, till tears Arise and dim my sight You cannot tell how every leaf You smile to see me turn and speak With one whose converse you despise, You do not see the dreams of old That with his voice arise How can you tell what links have made Him sacred in my eyes? Oh, these are Voices of the Past, Links of a broken chain, Wings that can bear me back to Times Which cannot come again— Yet God forbid that I should lose The echoes that remain ! THE DARK SIDE. HOU hast done well, perhaps, Before our shrinking eyes; When evil crawls below, What seems so pure and fair, Thine eyes are keen and true And yet I turn away, Thy task is not divine, The evil angels look On earth with eyes like thine. Thou hast done well, perhaps, To show how closely wound Dark threads of sin and self With our best deeds are found, How great and noble hearts, Shadows there are, who dwell Among us, yet apart, Deaf to the claim of God, Or kindly human heart; Voices of earth and heaven Call, but they turn away, And Love, through such black night, Can see no hope of day; And yet our eyes are dim, And thine are keener far ; Then gaze till thou canst see The black stream flows along Show us reflected there Some fragment of the skies; 'Neath tangled thorns and briars, (The task is fit for thee,) Seek for the hidden flowers, We are too blind to see; Then will I thy great gift A crown and blessing call; Angels look thus on men, And God sees good in all! A FIRST SORROW. RISE! this day shall shine, For evermore, To thee a star divine On Time's dark shore. Till now thy soul has been All glad and gay: Bid it awake, and look At grief to-day! |