198 BRAMBLES AND BAY LEAVES. 



hear them. The corn furrows look like tall rows of purple silk, 

 waving solemnly in the soft moonlight. The wild roses droop their 

 pearl-flushed cups with the increasing weight of dew. The daisy is 

 sleeping silently in moonlight repose, while the zephyrs creep softly 

 over the shut-up chalices of the flowers, as if fearful to awake them 

 from their quiet slumbers. 



Now, oh man ! if thy soul doth pant and thirst for healthier waters, 

 and for the broad stretching lawns, where grass waves green, and 

 and where one unfading summer flings its roses round, — wipe the 

 labour dews from thy cheek, and with a free heart, commune with the 

 spirit of the time: lie in the grassy arms of the dark old meadows, 

 and feel the summer of perpetual youth upon thy brow. 



All the ages of the past, dead and dusty though they be, shall un- 

 veil themselves before thee, with all of wisdom and truth for guidance, 

 through the blood and foam which mark the grim eras of thy destiny. 

 Thou shalt become a happy soul, no longer seeking to pluck the rose 

 to blood thy finger with the thorn ; thy fair life shall be one blush of 

 beauty, and one breath of love ; thy heart shall pulse with the music 

 of a better world, and thou shall feel the bloom of Eden's morn dwell- 

 ing in thy cheek for ever. 



" Father, 

 My heart is awed within me, when I think 

 Of the great miracle that still goes on, 

 In silence round me — the perpetual work 

 Of thy creation, finished, yet renewed 

 For ever. Written on thy works I read 

 The lesson of thy own eternity. 

 Lo ! all grow old and die ; but see, again, 

 How on the faltering footsteps of decay 

 Youth presses— ever gay and beautiful youth, 

 In all its beautiful forms. 



****** 

 Oh, there is not lost 

 One of earth's charms ; upon her bosom yet. 

 After the flight of untold centuries, 

 The freshness of her far beginning lies, 

 And yet shall live." Bryant. 



But Summer, though born to a heritage of beauty, and adorned 

 with the richest blooms of earth, and the fairest dyes of heaven, must 

 go back to her home when she has attained her full beauty and matu- 

 rity ; and her sister, the proud and queenly Autumn, will claim her 



