HOUGH many a joy with sunny glow May gild the lot of man below, And bless his sojourn here, So chequered is life's fleeting day, That ere the smile has passed away 'Tis saddened by a tear.
And though on some the clouds of wrath, Which scarce have dimmed another's path, May pour their fiercest gloom, Yet one the lot of all hath been,— A dread of sorrow yet unseen, A fear of woe to come.
When dimly to the mental eye The vista of futurity In lengthened train appears, Though bright the bow of Hope may beam, Yet still its fairest visions seem To shine on falling tears.
Then Fancy wakes her thrilling powers, And summons up dark 'whelming hours, Though still perchance afar; Disclosing scenes of joy and light For ever plunged in dreary night,— A night without a star.
For there we see the forms so dear, The treasured ties that bind us here, Departing one by one, Till every friend has passed away, And we, in life's declining day, Are left to weep alone.
Sad, sad the thought! but not to all; Oh, some, when deep the shadows fall, And all around is drear, (Can see the future's threatening form, Yet calmly meet the coming storm Without one doubt or fear!
For they can view the thorny way, Still lit by Heaven's unfading ray, That many a saint has trod; Then lift their hearts and hopes above, To rest upon a Father's love, And trust their all to God.
Thrice happy they! for who could fear The storms of life, if One be near The raging waves to quell, Or feel, though every friend were gone, A wanderer on earth alone, If God be with him still?
Then, Lord, be Thou to every breast A Star of hope, an Ark of rest, While here on earth we roam; And, oh! whate'er our lot may prove, Still guard us with Thy changeless love, And guide us safely home.
Then though earth's meteor lights decay, And joys are fading fast away, Our hearts at peace shall be; And e'en the darkest path seem bright, If, through the storm and shades of night, It leads at last to Thee.
HOUGH many a joy with sunny glow
HOUGH many a joy with sunny glow