Their distant dear ones?”[200]
But they did not long despair. “The sky was not inky, nor their future desperate,” says Elliot; “the sun still shone gloriously; the moon still bathed the earth with light; and the stars kept their ceaseless vigils. Spring here, as of old, followed winter, the murmuring of streams was heard, and the song of the turtle; birds builded their nests, the tender grass sprang up under their feet, and the trees budded and burst forth in wondrous beauty. God was over all—God, their God, their Friend—their protector here as in the older world; nay, more their helper now than ever before,”[201] for they were the orphans of humanity.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FIRST SUMMER IN NEW ENGLAND.
“The spring’s gay promise melted into thee,
Fair summer; and thy gentle reign is here;
Thy emerald robes are on each leafy tree;
In the blue sky thy voice is rich and clear;
And the free brooks have songs to bless thy reign—
They leap in music ’midst thy bright domain.”