THE DREAMER'S MISSION, 



Dare not to say he lived in vain : 

 The veriest wretch that crawls on earth, 



And feels life's varied joy and pain, 

 Received some mission at his birth : 



Is it for thee, blind Fool, to scan 



God's purpose in the soul of man ? 



" How fresh and young is the face of nature in the glad 

 spring-time ! how beautiful is the green earth with its garniture 

 of early flowers ! Methinks it were hard to die in spring, 

 when there is so much life stirring in every forest-leaf. If ever 

 one could bear to reflect calmly upon death, it would be when 

 the wearied frame was fainting beneath the sultriness of a 

 summer sky, and pining for some cool, dark grotto, where 

 peace might dwell. But in this sweet season of delight, when 

 the genial air has awakened the joy of life anew within our 

 hearts, the grave seems a horrid fantasy. Oh ! let me not die 

 in the spring !" 



The words were those of melancholy repining, for he who 

 uttered them was one whose soul went forth yearningly towards 



