Poems (Smith)/Light and Darkness
Light and Darkness, as I have heard say,
Lived together for many a day,
Li a lovely cot near the Great South Bay.
LIGHT AND DARKNESS.
Light and Darkness, as I have heard say,
Lived together for many a day,
Li a lovely cot near the Great South Bay.
Light was the elder by many a year;
But Darkness to Light was yet very dear.
But Darkness to Light was yet very dear.
It happened to Light to meet and to love
One now gone to his home in Heaven above.
One now gone to his home in Heaven above.
Ere Darkness met him he was Light's lover;
After their marriage Light's kind brother.
After their marriage Light's kind brother.
Light wished them joy with an aching heart;
For Darkness had gained her better part.
For Darkness had gained her better part.
Time passed on, and blessings were given—
Innocent children, their souls in Heaven.
Innocent children, their souls in Heaven.
"Suffer little children to come unto me,"
God said, and called them—one, two, three.
God said, and called them—one, two, three.
Those dear little angels lent for a while,
To cheer their hearts, to please and beguile.
To cheer their hearts, to please and beguile.
Then a few more fleeting years roll'd round
Of luxury and wealth in which they abound.
Of luxury and wealth in which they abound.
Death then called upon Darkness to spare
Her love—my love;—we are equal there.
Her love—my love;—we are equal there.
A few more years again passed by,
The idol of her heart was called to die.
The idol of her heart was called to die.
How shall I describe that maiden fair,
With love-lit eyes and auburn hair?
With love-lit eyes and auburn hair?
With soul so lofty, her angelic face
Ever shone forth with heavenly grace.
Ever shone forth with heavenly grace.
The memory of that sweet girl's life
Oft cheers my heart in this world of strife.
Oft cheers my heart in this world of strife.
In the first blush of youth God called away
This blooming flower with Him to stay.
This blooming flower with Him to stay.
Under this blow did Darkness quiver,
Beneath the rod of God the giver.
Beneath the rod of God the giver.
For conscience sake we hope she spent
Some time in prayer, and did repent.
Some time in prayer, and did repent.
Light often thought it made no impression,
Darkness had not yet learned her lesson.
Darkness had not yet learned her lesson.
Darkness soon went on a trip of pleasure,
With plenty of means and a son at leisure.
With plenty of means and a son at leisure.
Light met them on eve of their departure
Across the seas to friends o'er the water.
Across the seas to friends o'er the water.
Ere the farewell between them was ended,
Some talk about their mother was blended.
Some talk about their mother was blended.
Their mother was left to Light's kind care,
For Darkness would not her pleasure spare.
For Darkness would not her pleasure spare.
That trust was ever held sacred by Light,
Who ever attended by day and by night,
Who ever attended by day and by night,
Faithful remained to death's dark portal,
Leaving Light forever a sad lonely mortal.
Leaving Light forever a sad lonely mortal.
Darkness returned to the land of her birth,
And found her mother no longer on earth.
And found her mother no longer on earth.
Her true feelings may be stated in brief,
Remarking to Light that "it was a relief."
Remarking to Light that "it was a relief."
Light patiently waited for Darkness' return,
Their mother's affairs from her to learn.
Their mother's affairs from her to learn.
Light then might settle their mother's estate,
And for Darkness' return did anxiously wait.
And for Darkness' return did anxiously wait.
Sad was her heart, but Light will not forget
Her sisterly love and her heartfelt regret.
Her sisterly love and her heartfelt regret.
But Darkness declined to settle or pay
The expenses incurred while she was away.
The expenses incurred while she was away.
Sad was the blow, and crushing the blight,
So to Darkness I now will wish a good night.
So to Darkness I now will wish a good night.