Of the days that are left. No foreboding of sorrow
Shall darken my sky.
Nor To-day be o'erclouded, because some To-morrow,
I must say good-bye.
1871
[ONCE IN A WHILE]
Once in a while, in this world so strange,
To lighten our sad regrets,
We find a heart that is true through change--
A heart that never forgets.
Oh, rare as a blossoming rose in December--
As a bird in an Arctic clime,
Is a heart, a heart that can remember
Through sorrow and change and time.
Once in a while we find a love
That will live through life and death,
Ay! that will follow the soul above.
Not passing away with the breath.
But rarer, Oh, rarer by far and stranger
Than a spring in the desert sand,
Is a love that will last, with toil, and danger,
And strife on every hand.
Once in a while we find a friend
That will cling through good or ill,
Whose friendship follows us e'en to the end,
Be it up or adown the hill,
But the heart so true, and the love so tender,
And friendship's faithful smile,
Whether we dwell in squalor or splendor,
We find but "once in a while."
1872
[BEAUTY]
Though thy cheek be fair, as the roses are,
Thy brow like the drifted snow,
And thine eye as bright, as the diamonds light,
Yet if in thy heart doth grow
But noxious weeds, and selfish deeds
Follow thy steps alway,
What in the end availeth it, friend,
If thy face is fair, I pray.
For the smoothest brow, old Time will plow,
And he dimmeth the brightest eye;
And the fairest face, and the form of grace,
In the lowly grave must lie.
But our deeds live on, when life is done.
Nor Time, nor death destroy;
And the words we say, will make their way
With sorrow, or with joy.