"SHE WAS A PHANTOM OF DELIGHT." HE was a phantom of delight SHE When first she gleamed upon my sight; A lovely apparition, sent To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of twilight fair; I saw her upon nearer view, Her household motions light and free, A countenance in which did meet And now I see with eye serene A perfect woman, nobly planned, WILLIAM WORDSWORTII, 1804. THE SECRET OF A HAPPY DAY. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him." Ps. xxv. 14. Just to follow hour by hour Just to draw the moment's power Just to trust Him, this is all! Then the day will surely be Peaceful, whatsoe'er befall, Bright and blesséd, calm and free. Just to trust, and yet to ask Take the training or the task, Just to take the loss or gain, Just to take the joy or pain, Α' He who formed thee for His praise Shall be moulded for the same! Just to leave in His dear hand All we cannot understand, All that stings. Just to let Him take the care Finding all we let Him bear This is all! and yet the way Marked by Him who loves thee best: Secret of a happy day, Secret of His promised rest. FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. BOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw within the moonlight in the room, Making it rich and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold; "What writest thou?" The vision raised its head. And with a look made all of sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Adhem. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Adhem spoke more low, But cheerly still, and said, “I pray thee, then, LEIGH HUNT. SW VIRTUE. WEET Day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The dew shall weep thy fall to-night; For thou must die. Sweet Rose, whose hue angry and brave Thy root is ever in its grave, And thou must die. Sweet Spring, full of sweet days and roses, And all must die. Only a sweet and virtuous soul, Like seasoned timber, never gives; But though the whole world turn to coal, Then chiefly lives. GEORGE HERBERT. E useful where thou livest, that they may BE Both want, and wish thy pleasing presence still. Kindness, good parts, great places are the way To compass this. Find out men's wants and will, And meet them there. All worldly joys go less To the one joy of doing kindnesses. GEORGE HERBERT. THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS. I SEE them far away, In their calm beauty, on the evening skies, Across the golden west their summits rise, Bright with the radiance of departing day; And often ere the sunset light was gone, Gazing and longing, I have hastened on, As with new strength, all weariness and pain Forgotten in the hope those blissful heights to gain. Heaven lies not far beyond, But these are hills of earth, our changeful air The ceaseless contact, the continued strife Is not yet ended, and the Jordan's roar Still sounds between their path and the Celestial shore. |