When Earth is waking from her winter dream, And Sunlight calls to life each sleeping stream; When songsters shall return on joyful wings, ’Tis then the mind awakes to grander things. Faith in our God becomes a mighty power,— Deep rooted in the soul it grows each hour. Hope springs to life and, like the budding rose, Admits the light, and thus diviner grows. Sweet Charity, the greatest of the three, Unlocks the dormant heart with magic key,— Then enters Joy, the ever welcomed guest, To quiet Sorrow, and to bid her rest. The waking Earth demands the watchful eye, While day by day new glories round her lie. No longer shall we sleep away the hours, But wake to life as wake the budding flowers,— Breathing to others, in our life’s brief day, Fragrance and beauty as they pass our way. No longer shall we wait for better days, But, like the bird, sing forth His endless praise, And in the hour new hope and pleasure bring To those who listen but care not to sing. No longer shall we rest and vainly dream, But wake as wakes again the living stream, Ever to broaden as we onward go, Bearing to thirsting souls the joys we know.
LOVE-LETTERS.
You may burn the letters, dearie, Tho’ they’re written from the heart And have made the days less dreary While we two have been apart.
You may burn each loving letter, Tho’ the sentiment is true, For it may be really better;— They are meant for only you.
You may watch the glowing embers While the ashes turn to white; For your loyal heart remembers Tho’ my words shall pass from sight.
You can burn Love’s secrets never That my soul to yours confessed; They, I know, will live forever In the life that I love best.
So, my dearie, burn each token That I’ve written just for you, And accept the love unspoken From a heart that’s ever true;
For our love-light burns out never,— It is human and divine; We shall live and love forever,— I am yours and you are mine.