162 CLASSICAL MODERN POETRY. 



LOVE. 



They sin who tell us love can die. 

 With life all other passions fly; 

 All others are but vanity. 



In heaven ambition cannot dwell, 



Nor avarice in the vaults of hell. 

 Earthly, these passions are of earth, 

 They perish where they have their birth ; 



But love is indestructible. 

 Its holy flame for ever burneth, 

 From heaven it came, to heaven returneth 



Too oft on earth, a troubled guest, 

 At times deceived, at times opprest, 

 It here is tried and purified, 



And hath in heaven its perfect rest ; 

 It soweth here with toil and care, 

 But the harvest-time of Love is there. 



O! when a mother meets on high 



The babe she lost in infancy, 

 Hath she not then, for pains and fears, 



The day of woe, the anxious night, 

 For all her sorrow, all her tears, 



An over payment of delight ? 



SOUTHEY. 



LESSONS OF WISDOM. 



Wisdom took up her harp, and stood in place 

 Of frequent concourse, stood in every gate, 

 By every way, and walked in every street ; 

 And lifting up her voice proclaimed : " Be wise, 

 Ye fools ! be of an understanding heart ; 

 Forsake the wicked, come not near his house, 

 Pass by, make haste, depart, and turn away. 

 Me follow, me, whose ways are pleasantness, 

 Whose paths are peace, whose end is perfect joy. 



