112 THE JOY UNTASTED. 



Eden. The poet has a prophet voice, and from the teachings 

 of the oracles within him, does he learn to enkindle to nobler 

 life the hearts of others. It is his duty and his privilege to 

 awaken perceptions of the good, the beautiful, and the true ; 

 and if he find no sympathy — -if the dream of his life be unful- 

 filled, — the " joy" be still " untasted," — yet may he trust that 

 his spirit-tones will be heard in the far-off Heaven, where he 

 shall at length " know as he is known." Let him not faint 

 beneath the heat and burden of the day. The wave that 

 woos his thirsting lip may flow from the fountain of Marah ; 

 but, in the blossoming almond rod of Christian hope, he may 

 find the branch of healing for the bitter waters. 



