Library of the best American literature / Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturers

by Unknown

The universe is girdled with a chain,

And hung below the throne

Where Thou dost sit, the universe to bless,—

Thou sovereign smile of God, eternal loveliness!

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A DIRGE.

FEW frail summers had touched thee,

As they touch the fruit;

Not so bright as thy hair the sunshine,