"A long, long future, freaked with sin and strife,
The generations of the world must know;
But surely from that Tree—the Tree of Life—
A healing for the nations yet will flow,
As God foretold thee."
"Freely then I go,
For steadfast is the Lord his word to keep,"
Said Adam, as his breathing, faint and slow,
Ceased; and like zephyr dying on the deep,
In hope matured to faith, the First Man fell asleep!
[THE VOICE OF NATURE.]
'Twas in a lone sequestered dell,
And on a summer's eve;
The sun's last glances ling'ring fell,
As loath the spot to leave:
For never sun more blithely rose
To light a scene more fair—
Day never had so sweet a close,
Or night a charm so rare.
And I have climbed the rocky steep
That cuts the vale in twain,
And gaze adown the lonely sweep
That seeks the vale again.
I gaze on many a stately dome
Of high imperious name,
On many a low and humble home
Unglorified by fame:
But all are wrapt in deep repose,
And not a sound is there
To tell how swift the River flows
Between the banks of Care.
Unmarked, the stream of life glides on
To that Eternal Sea,
Where earthly sun hath never shone,
Nor aught of earth can be.