And with starry veil enfold Though his words seem true and wise, MY PICTURE. TAND this way—more near the win dow By my desk-you see the light Falling on my picture better Thus I see it while I write! Who the head may be I know not, But it has a student air; Grave sweet eyes and flowing hair. Little care I who the painter, How obscure a name he bore; Did I value it the more. As it is, I would not give it For the rarest piece of art; my heart. Many a time, when to my garret Weary I returned at night, That has made my poor room bright. a Many a time, when ill and sleepless, I have watched the quivering gleam my dream. When dark days have come, and friendship Worthless seemed, and life in vain, That bright friendly smile has sent me Boldly to my task again. Sometimes when hard need has pressed me To bow down where I despise, In those sad reproachful eyes. Nothing that my brain imagined, Or my weary hand has wrought, But it watched the dim Idea Spring forth into armed Thought. It has smiled on my successes, Raised me when my hopes were low, And by turns has looked upon me With all loving eyes I know. a Do you wonder that my picture Has become so like a friend ?It has seen my life's beginnings, It shall stay and cheer the end ! JUDGE NOT. UDGE not; the workings of his brain And of his heart thou canst not see; What looks to thy dim eyes a stain, In God's pure light may only be brought from some well-won field, Where thou wouldst only faint and yield. A scar, The look, the air, that frets thy sight, May be a token, that below With some infernal fiery foe, The fall thou darest to despise May be the slackened angel's hand Has suffered it, that he may rise And take a firmer, surer stand; с Or, trusting less to earthly things, And judge none lost, but wait, and see, With hopeful pity, not disdain ; The depth of the abyss may be The measure of the height of pain And love and glory that may raise This soul to God in after days ! FRIEND SORROW. O not cheat thy Heart and tell her, “ Grief will pass away, Hope for fairer times in future, Need not come in vain; Far outweighs the pain. |