X. Songfellow WONDROUS truths, and manifold as wondrous, God hath written in the stars above; But not less in the bright flowerets under us Stands the revelation of his love. Bright and glorious is that revelation Written all over this great world of ours; Making evident our own creation In these stars of earth, these golden flowers. Every where about us are they glowing: Some, like stars, to tell us Spring is born; Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing, Stand like Ruth amid the golden corn. And with childlike, credulous affection, X1. Emily Taylor THERE's life abroad;-from each green tree A busy murmur swells; The bee is up at early dawn Stirring the cowslip-bells. There's motion in the lightest leaf That trembles on the stream; The insect scarce an instant rests Light dancing in the beam. There's life abroad;-the silvery threads Where'er their wanton flight they take, Proclaim that life is there. And bubbles on the quiet lake, And yonder music sweet, And stirrings in the rustling leaves, All speak of life; and louder still Within there's life and power, And liberty of heart and mind To love, believe, adore. XII. George Dyer GREATEST of beings, Source of life, But man was form'd to rise to heaven, And, bless'd with reason's clearer light, He views his Maker through his works, And glows with rapture at the sight. Nor can the thousand songs that rise, So well repeat Jehovah's praise, Greatest of beings, Source of life, NOT in the solitude XIII. Bryant Alone may man commune with heaven; or see Only in savage wood And sunny vale the present Deity; Or only hear his voice Where the winds whisper and the waves rejoice. Even here do I behold Thy steps, Almighty!-here amidst the crowd Through the great city roll'd, With everlasting murmur, deep and loud, Choking the ways that wind 'Mongst the proud piles, the work of human kind. Thy golden sunshine comes From the round heaven, and on their dwelling lies, And lights their inner homes; For them thou fillest the air, the unbounded skies, And givest them the stores Of ocean, and the harvest of its shores. Thy spirit is around, Quickening the restless mass that sweeps along ; And this eternal sound, Voices and footfalls of the numberless throng, Like the surrounding sea, Or like the rainy tempest, speaks of thee. And when the hour of rest Comes like a calm upon the mid-sea brine, Hushing its billowy breast The quiet of that moment too is thine: It breathes of Him who keeps The vast and helpless city while it sleeps. XIV. Ale boxe Now pray we for our country, XV. O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, For he is gracious, And his mercy endureth for ever! |