CONTEMPLATION.
BY JANE R. DANA.
[ILLUSTRATING AN ENGRAVING.]
Strange! that a tear-drop should o'erfill the eye
Of loveliness that looks on all it loves!
Yet are there moods, when the soul's wells are high
With crystal waters which a strange fear moves,
To doubt if what it joys in, be a joy;
Fear not, thou fond and gentle one! though life
Be but a checkered scene, where wrong and right,
Struggle forever; there is not a strife
Can reach thy bower: the future, purely bright,
Is round about thee, like a summer sky.
And there are those, brave hearts and true, to guard
Thy walks forever; and to make each hour
Of coming time, by fond and faithful ward,
Happy as happiest known within thy bridal bower.
