THE TRIUMPH OF LIFE.
The following poem, given under the inspiration of Mrs. Hemans, is a reversion of the ideas contained in a poem composed by her in earth life, entitled “The Hour of Death.”
“Leaves have their time to fall,
And flowers to wither at the north wind’s breath,
And stars to set—but all,
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death!”
Leaves have their glad recall,
And blossoms open to the South wind’s breath,
And stars that set shall rise again, for all,
All things shall triumph o’er the Spoiler—Death.
Day was not made for care—
Eve brings bright angels to the joyous hearth—
Night comes with dreams of peace, and visions fair
Of those whom Death could conquer not on earth.
When, in the festive hour,
Death mingles poison with the ruby wine,
Life also comes with overwhelming power,
Changing the deadly draught to life divine.
Youth and the opening rose
May vanish from the outward sight away,
But Life their inward beauty shall disclose,
And rob the haughty Spoiler of his prey.
Leaves have their glad recall,
And blossoms open to the South wind’s breath,
And stars that set shall rise again, for all,
All things shall triumph o’er the Spoiler—Death.
We know that yet again
Our loved and lost shall cross the Summer sea,
Bearing with them the sheaves of golden grain,
Which they have harvested, O Life! with thee.