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AGE AND THE SPIRIT OF LIFE. 



SPIRIT. 



Like flowers, around a young bird's nest, 



Expanding in the morning's prime 

 Hoar man, I twined around thy breast 



The fair delights of Childhood's time. 



I gave, thy Youth, Love's splendid dream 

 More brilliant, by a thousand fold, 



Than e'er the real world may seem 

 With all its fairest views unrolled*. 



I gave thee Manhood's ardent mind, 



To kneel where Science builds her throne ; 



To ride on Ocean, with the wind ; 

 To seek new worlds in Ether's zone. 



I placed, in beauty, near thy side, 

 To cheer life's daily shortened span, 



Thy cherished offspring's graceful pride : 

 Now, thank me, thank me, hoaiy man ! 



AGE. 



I thank thee, from my heart, for all 

 Though ever on life's lovely things 



Some memory cast a darkening pall ; 

 Some blighting sorrow shook its wings. 



The dearest ties were earliest riven ; 



The ones I loved most soonest died ; 

 The dreams of joy, most sweetly given, 



Had still a sadness near their side. 



SPIRIT. 



? Twas Wisdom's plan, to lead thy soul 



In search of an immortal stay; 

 A hope, beyond the world's controul; 



A joy, that fadeth not away. 



I told thee of another clime, 

 A land of cloudless light, where dwell, 



Beyond the wearing course of time, 

 The dear ones thou didst love so well. 



* Love disclosed to me a new universe, a hundred times more resplendent 

 with beauty and perfection than the real world. GOETHE. 



