Lo, in yonder sky the sun
Half his daily task has done;
We will rest beside the spring,
While the bird with folded wing
Sits within his cool retreat,
Shaded from the noontide heat,
And the bees, with drowsy hum,
Homeward, honey-laden come.
Homeward too our way we hold,
Laden, not with paltry gold,
But with treasures better far
Than the richest jewels are:
Simple, trusting hearts, content
With the blessings Heaven has lent.
Once within our love-lit cot,
Rich and great we envy not.
Lo, the shadows lengthen fast;
Now the well-known hills are past;
Now the forest, dark and tall—
Oh, how we remember all!
Now the pastures strewn with rocks,
Where we used to watch our flocks,—
Farther down the winding road,
See! it is our own abode.
Where the slanting sunbeams fall
On the lowly cottage wall,
Fancy can already trace
Each belov'd, familiar face:
One by one each form appears
Till our eyes are dim with tears;
If the foretaste be so sweet
Soon our joy will be complete!
Here we are! But all is still
Save the ever-murmuring rill,—
Save the hooting of the owl,
And the village watch-dog's howl,
Slowly swings the cottage door—
Shall we cross the threshold o'er?
Empty and deserted all—
Echo answers to our call!
Where the bending willow tree
Oft has sheltered thee and me,
Lo, the turf has been uptorn:
We have come,—but come to mourn!
Eyes are dim and lips are cold,
And our arms we sadly fold
Over hearts, till hushed and dead,
Never to be comforted!
No; our hearts shall still be strong,
For the journey is not long;
In a holy, deathless land
We shall meet our household band:
In the fairer bowers above,
They await the friends they love,
Oh, what joy with them to dwell,
Never more to say farewell!
THE OLD SUGAR CAMP.
[Whoever has attended a "sugaring off" in the woods will enjoy the reading of this poem—the description is so life-like and exhilarating. It is a home scene.]
Come let us away to the old Sugar Camp;
The sky is serene though the ground may be damp,—
And the little bright streams, as they frolic and run,
Turn a look full of thanks to the ice-melting sun;
While the warm southern winds, wherever they go,
Leave patches of brown 'mid the glittering snow.