24
SUNSET.
See! the rain has abated, the clouds have dispersed,
And o'er us the last angry tempest has burst,
How beautiful now, in the glowing west,
Is the sun sinking slowly and calmly to rest!
Oh, well may we deem it an emblem bright
Of the ransomed one passing to fields of light,
Who, ere bidding farewell to a land of unrest,
Just catches a glimpse of the joys of the blest!
How the glorious vision inspires his soul
With an earnest longing to reach its goal!
How i1t brightens with hope his eager eye!
How it flushes his fading cheek with joy!
Not cloudless nor tranquil has been his day,
Oh, many a storm has he passed on his way;
But the last one is o'er, and his sky is now clear
Save the sorrow of parting with those he holds dear.
Yet even that cloud is encircled with gold,
For he knows, when a few short years shall have rolled,
They, too, will pass over the bound of time,
And be welcomed likewise to the heavenly clime.
Beautiful sunset! in thee may we see
A type of our nearing eternity.
And o'er us the last angry tempest has burst,
How beautiful now, in the glowing west,
Is the sun sinking slowly and calmly to rest!
Oh, well may we deem it an emblem bright
Of the ransomed one passing to fields of light,
Who, ere bidding farewell to a land of unrest,
Just catches a glimpse of the joys of the blest!
How the glorious vision inspires his soul
With an earnest longing to reach its goal!
How i1t brightens with hope his eager eye!
How it flushes his fading cheek with joy!
Not cloudless nor tranquil has been his day,
Oh, many a storm has he passed on his way;
But the last one is o'er, and his sky is now clear
Save the sorrow of parting with those he holds dear.
Yet even that cloud is encircled with gold,
For he knows, when a few short years shall have rolled,
They, too, will pass over the bound of time,
And be welcomed likewise to the heavenly clime.
Beautiful sunset! in thee may we see
A type of our nearing eternity.
