HYMNS OF FAITH AND HOPE.

DIVINE ORDER.

'Tis first the true and then the beautiful,
Not first the beautiful and then the true;
First the wild moor, with rock and reed and pool,
Then the gay garden, rich in scent and hue.

'Tis first the good and then the beautiful,-
Not first the beautiful and then the good;
First the rough seed, sown in the rougher soil,
Then the flower-blossom, or the branching wood.

Not first the glad and then the sorrowful,—
But first the sorrowful, and then the glad;
Tears for a day,—for earth of tears is full,
Then we forget that we were ever sad.

10

DIVINE ORDER

Not first the bright, and after that the dark,But first the dark, and after that the bright; First the thick cloud, and then the rainbow's arc, First the dark grave, then resurrection-light.

'Tis first the night,―stern night of storm and war,— Long nights of heavy clouds and veiled skies; Then the far sparkle of the Morning-star,

That bids the saints awake and dawn arise.

LEFT BEHIND.

Look at this starbeam! From its place of birth,
It has come down to greet us here below;
Now it alights unwearied on this earth,

Nor storm nor night have quenched its heavenly glow.

Unbent before the winter's rugged blast,
Unsoiled by this sad planet's tainted air,
It sparkles out from yon unmeasured vast,
Bright 'mid the brightest, 'mid the fairest fair.

Undimmed it reaches me; but yet alone:

The thousand gay companions that took wing Along with it have perished one by one,

Scattered o'er space like blossoms of the spring.

Some to yon nearer orbs have sped their course,

Yon city's smoke has quenched a thousand more; Myriads in yon dark cloud have spent their force;

A few stray gleams are all that reach our shore.

12

LEFT BEHIND.

And with us! How many, who began

Life's race with us, are dropping by the way; Losing themselves in darkness one by one, From the glad goal departing wide astray!

When we shall reach the kingdom of the blest, How few who started with us shall we find Arriving or arrived, for glorious rest!

How many shall we mourn as left behind !*

"Pauci læta arva tenemus."-Virgil, Eneid, VI.

THE

MEETING-PLACE.

WHERE the faded flower shall freshen,

Freshen never more to fade;
Where the shaded sky shall brighten,—
Brighten never more to shade:
Where the sun-blaze never scorches;
Where the star-beams cease to chill;

Where no tempest stirs the echoes
Of the wood, or wave, or hill:
Where the morn shall wake in gladness,
And the moon the joy prolong,
Where the daylight dies in fragrance,

'Mid the burst of holy song:

Brother, we shall meet and rest

'Mid the holy and the blest!

Where no shadow shall bewilder,

Where life's vain parade is o'er, Where the sleep of sin is broken,

And the dreamer dreams no more: