The River of Life Where old friends meet. Let him; now heaven is overcast, And spring and summer both are past, And all things sweet. 407 Walter Savage Landor [1775-1864] YEARS YEARS, many parti-colored years, Some have crept on, and some have flown Since first before me fell those tears I never could see fall alone. Years, not so many, are to come, Walter Savage Landor [1775-1864] THE RIVER OF LIFE THE more we live, more brief appear The gladsome current of our youth, But as the careworn cheek grows wan, Why seem your courses quicker? When joys have lost their bloom and breath, And life itself is vapid, Why, as we reach the Falls of Death, Feel we its tide more rapid? It may be strange-yet who would change Heaven gives our years of fading strength And those of youth, a seeming length, Proportioned to their sweetness, Thomas Campbell [1777–1844] "LONG TIME A CHILD" LONG time a child, and still a child, when years No hope I needed, and I knew no fears. But sleep, though sweet, is only sleep; and waking, Hartley Coleridge [1796-1849] THE WORLD I AM PASSING THROUGH FEW, in the days of early youth, Trusted like me in love and truth. But slowly, and with many tears; For God made me to kindly view The world that I was passing through. The World I Am Passing Through 409 How little did I once believe That friendly tones could e'er deceive! And though I've learned some souls are base. Through weary conflicts I have passed, From all that fate has brought to me And trust in Him who rules above, Thus only can I kindly view The world that I am passing through. When I approach the setting sun, And all who tempt a trusting heart God help us all to kindly view The world that we are passing through! Lydia Maria Child [1802-1880] TERMINUS It is time to be old, To take in sail: The god of bounds, Who sets to seas a shore, Came to me in his fatal rounds, And said: "No more! No farther shoot Thy broad ambitious branches, and thy root. Fancy departs: no more invent; Contract thy firmament To compass of a tent. There's not enough for this and that, Make thy option which of two; Economize the failing river, Not the less revere the Giver, Leave the many and hold the few. Timely wise accept the terms, Soften the fall with wary foot; Still plan and smile, And,--fault of novel germs,— Mature the unfallen fruit. Who, when they gave thee breath, Failed to bequeath The needful sinew stark as once, As the bird trims her to the gale, I trim myself to the storm of time, I man the rudder, reef the sail, Rabbi Ben Ezra "Lowly faithful, banish fear, Right onward drive unharmed; The port, well worth the cruise, is near, And every wave is charmed." 411 Ralph Waldo Emerson [1803-1882] RABBI BEN EZRA GROW old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in his hand Who saith "A whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!" Not that, amassing flowers, Youth sighed, "Which rose make ours, Which lily leave and then as best recall?" Not that, admiring stars, It yearned, "Nor Jove, nor Mars; Mine be some figured flame which blends, transcends them all!" Not for such hopes and fears Do I remonstrate: folly wide the mark! Rather I prize the doubt Low kinds exist without, Poor vaunt of life indeed, Were man but formed to feed On joy, to solely seek and find and feast: Such feasting ended, then As sure an end to men; Irks care the crop-full bird? Frets doubt the maw-crammed beast? Rejoice we are allied To that which doth provide |