Poems (Charlotte Allen)/To a Lady

by Charlotte Allen

For works with similar titles, see To a Lady.

TO A LADY.

Thou askest me but yesternight
A little Poem to indite,
 A keepsake thus to be;
That thou may'st look in after years,
Upon the shrine that friendship rears;
 To memory and to thee.

Could we but scan the Book of Fate,
And see what ills and joys await,
 Whilst journeying here below,
We might not wish to linger long,
Our cares and sorrows to prolong,
 Within this world of wo.

Some think they have more ills than joys,
That there is not an equal poise
 Between each joy and sorrow:
Some ever look on shadow's side,
Breathing despondence far and wide,
 As they their troubles borrow.

For me, a brighter star I see,
That shines upon my destiny,
 As I my path pursue;
Though clouds have sometimes hovered o'er
I deal not in prophetic lore,
 But keep the bright in view.

And as my onward path I trace,
No passing cloud shall e'er efface
 The thoughts that burn within;
For he who gave the cup of life,
Mixed it with sorrow, joy and strife,
 And filled it to the brim.

But for every hour of sadness,
We have many more of gladness,
 Swelling in each heart:
Then bid all discontent be gone,
And let us breathe the fervent song,
 'Oh God! how good thou art!'