Poems (Toke)/Lines (The noon of Autumn now with chastened mirth)
For works with similar titles, see Lines.
HE noon of Autumn now with chastened mirthFalls bright and still upon the teeming earthWith all that placid calm, that tranquil glow,The evening of the year alone can know;For though the Spring's fresh gladness has gone by,And Summer radiance lights no more the sky,Yet, 'mid the wreck of glories passed away,Still brightly fades the year's declining day,And o'er her evening hour that charm is shed,All own so sweet, all mourn so quickly fled.
LINES.
HE noon of Autumn now with chastened mirthFalls bright and still upon the teeming earthWith all that placid calm, that tranquil glow,The evening of the year alone can know;For though the Spring's fresh gladness has gone by,And Summer radiance lights no more the sky,Yet, 'mid the wreck of glories passed away,Still brightly fades the year's declining day,And o'er her evening hour that charm is shed,All own so sweet, all mourn so quickly fled.Dost thou not, Dearest, feel the soothing power,The holy calm that rests upon this hour?Meet emblem, as I trust it long may prove,Of that united lot, that path of loveWe now have trod together many a year,Through shade and sunshine, scenes of varied cheer,Of anxious cares, of pleasures pure and brightAs this world can bestow,—the joys that lightA happy home, where love and concord dwell,And every dear one sent the band to swell, Of kindred hearts, but adds another tieTo those strong links, that bind our destinyIn happiest bands; and as we gaze the whileOn each fair face that lights with loving smileOur own old home, still purer, deeper flowsAffection's welling fount, still stronger growsThe holy bond, that knits with cords of loveOur hearts on earth, and oh! we trust, above.
And on this day, the day of all most dear,That tells of thy dear life another yearHas passed in peace, Dearest, wilt thou once moreReceive the tribute offered oft before,—Of warm affection, love that only growsThe deeper, as time's onward current flows;And earnest prayers, that ever on thy headHeaven's best and choicest blessings may be shed;That, 'mid the clouds which shade earth's darkening eve,The restless waves that round her bulwarks heaveWith gathering might, God's guiding hand may stillShield thy loved head from every touch of ill;Guard thee in sunshine, guide thee through the night,And lead thee on, with His unfading light,Till thou, and all so dear, earth's perils o'er,May meet before His throne, to part no more.
E.
October 6. 1849.