"GOOD, TO FORGIVE"
Good, to forgive;
Best, to forget!
Living, we fret;
Dying, we live.
Fretless and free,5
Soul, clap thy pinion!
Earth have dominion,
Body, o'er thee!
Wander at will,
Day after day—10
Wander away,
Wandering still—
Soul that canst soar!
Body may slumber:
Body shall cumber15
Soul-flight no more.
Waft of soul's wing!
What lies above?
Sunshine and Love,
Skyblue and Spring!20
Body hides—where?
Ferns of all feather,
Mosses and heather.
Yours be the care!
"SUCH A STARVED BANK OF MOSS"
Such a starved bank of moss
Till, that May-morn,
Blue ran the flash across:
Violets were born!
Sky—what a scowl of cloud5
Till, near and far,
Ray on ray split the shroud:
Splendid, a star!
World—how it walled about
Life with disgrace10
Till God's own smile came out:
That was thy face!