Alternate suns and April rains,
Distilling dews at even,
Will deck in verdure all the land;
And just as fair as Eden
Will bud and bloom the forest glades.
Vales and leafless bowers
Will spring into new life again,
Enwreathed with fairest flowers.
Sing on, sing on, glad voice of Spring!
Wake, wake, the song again!
A jubilee of joy shout forth
From mountain, stream, and plain.
O human hearts, by care oppressed,
Rise up! rise up! and o’er
This joyous time, so pure and young,
Renew thy strength once more.
REGRET.
A tender, delicate kiss given me long ago,
A wistful look from the deep blue eyes,
That set my sensitive yearning heart aglow
With dreams of an earthly paradise.
But we drifted far apart, my love and I,
For the world is cold and hearts must break;
And in vain were tears and the weary sigh—
They said it was best for her dear sake.
IN MEMORIAM.
One more tender, fragile flower
Faded from our sight to-day,
Just as spring-time’s buds and blossoms
Ushered in the bloom of May.
She had lingered, fading slowly,
Till the op’ning of the day;
’Mid its radiant, dewy fragrance,
Her sweet spirit soared away.
We’ve sung her last sad requiem,
Closed the eyes that lost their sight—
Eyes that beamed with love and beauty,
Eyes that shone with holy light.
Ah, how many hearts will miss thee,
Miss thy smile and gentle tone;
Life’s but emptiness and shadow
When the loved and lost are gone.