Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/The Sunbeam and the Shadow
THE SUNBEAM AND THE SHADOW
A sunbeam from the source of lightCame flashing down to earth,His face was fair, his eyes were bright,His heart was full of mirth.
Right joyfully the sunbeam cameTo swell the perfect day,Yet where he fell, it was a shame,Dark shadows round him lay.
"Why come you here?" a shadow cried,And on him darkly frowned,"This is our only place to hideFor many miles around."
"I come to cheer each lonely placeAnd turn the dark to day, To light a smile on sorrow's faceAnd drive its gloom away."
"Poor foolish thing," the shadow said,"Earth is no place for day,Her life is dark and cold and dread,You know not what you say.
"I cover up its want and woeAnd wrap the earth in sleep,That none may see and none may knowWhat countless millions weep."
The merry little sunbeam laughed,"That is not right," he said,"I've seen the smart of sorrow's shaft,I dry their tears instead.
Earth hath her sorrows and her joys,Her sunshine and her rain,But love is worth all life's alloys,Its pleasure worth its pain."
And then the sunbeam shone so brightUpon his happy way,He pierced the shadow with his lightAnd frightened him away.