With cheerfulness then, Retrospection, I'll greet thee,* Though the night-shade be twined in thy bouquet of sweets, In the eve of reflection this bosom will meet thee, While to the dear vision of childhood it beats. And the heart that in confidence seeks its review, If in worlds beatific, affections unite, And those once dissevered are blended in love; THE THORN OF LIFE. WE see, in life's wide wilderness, Some plants of fair, and varied mien; Love's rose springs here, while there, distress, The night shade rank, is seen. With choicest care, we cull the flowers That breathe of beauty and of morn; But while the bouquet charms the eye, And who is free from sorrow's thorn? Thy morning, gay, perchance, hath shone, Hast friends? thou hast―yet the last sun, That saw thy bliss, hath seen the dart, Whose cruel fang shall pierce thy friend, And wring thy lonely heart. Thy wife, thy offspring-whence that sigh? For thou, who wife and offspring knew, Love hath its chill, and mirth the sigh, STANZAS. THEY SHALL LIE DOWN ALIKE IN THE DUST. Job. YE hapless, who repining, grieve At poverty and ill; Who doubtful, question heaven's decree, And murmur at its will: Think ye that affluence is the source Whence unmixed blessings flow? Think ye that gold can satisfy, Mistaking race!-alas, how few Ye labour, but for bliss untrue, The care and toil are lost. Go, learn content, for riches yet Have never fed the mind; Go, learn content, the coffered wretch May ne'er enjoyment find. The costly robe of Tyrian dye, And virgin smiles, and sparkling wit, Art thou obscure?-the writhing cares Thine are affection's purest sweets, Thine are the beauties of the globe, For thee, yon azure glories burn, Say, mortal, art thou poor? The hopes that shine along life's path, To cheer thee, too, are given; The Star that points the wanderer's way, Shall lead thee to thy heaven. And while, lamented by the great, The rich repose in clay; Thou, too, wilt seek thy final bed, And slumber sweet as they. |