A little boat now comes to view, And, in the path of splendor, It seems to drift with idle oar, To distant moon and unknown shore,— Till human vision, at its best, Can scarce discern, on ocean’s crest, That tiny speck that rocks the two To love dreams new and tender.
The stars are peeping from the blue, The “milky way” revealing; A row of houses, on the sand, Like line of fronted soldiers stand; How dimly, thro’ the deepening night, The cottage candle throws its light, While breezes blow the curtains through— A glimpse of home life stealing!
Some faint reflections on the deep And to wet sands are creeping; While, from the light within the tower Whose steady glare reveals its power, A path of red on land and sea, Where waves make sweetest melody, Reflects and soothes the mermaid’s sleep Its hourly night watch keeping.
O beauteous evening! Peace above, O’er sea and shore is falling; On such a calm and glorious night The human heart is nearer right; God seems so great, and Heaven so fair, That man and earth can not compare; On night like this, the souls that love Are roused to higher calling.
PEACE.
When we ask the reason why, And we question: “Is it right?” When we search for hidden truths, Praying for the needed light;
When our way looks long and lone, And the sky seems dark o’erhead; When our blessings all are gone, And the sorrows come instead;
Then, like sunlight thro’ the gloom, Comes the peace for which we prayed:— “Let not your heart be troubled, Neither let it be afraid.”