Thou lovely star! methinks thy herald ray STANZAS. Anonymous. SUMMER may spread her choicest flowers, Winter may bid his tempests rise, And change the earth's fair robe of green; And leafless bowers, and frowning skies Present a sad and dreary scene : Yet will the heart bright verdure wear If peace have fix'd its dwelling there. But summer's glow, or winter's gloom, Nor one, nor all of these can move The soul engross'd by heavenly love : LAYING HOLD OF CHRIST. Grant. WHEN gath'ring clouds around I view, He sees my wants, allays my fears, When aught shall tempt my soul to stray M And oh! when I have safely pass'd SONNET. I SAW a happy Bride within a home Of wedded bliss; she smiled on one who loved Her gentleness in manhood's opening bloom, Whose heart for her its earliest passion proved,And she was bless'd.-The heaven that shone so bright, Shone not so brightly as those soft dark eyes, Nor shed on all around a tenderer light. Her passing griefs were breathed in happy sighs, For he was near to soothe her slightest pain, And give to woe the semblance of a joy. A few short years, I pass'd that home again, 'Twas desolate, a father led his boy To a lone grave—and mourn'd in deep despair For the once happy Bride, who slumber'd there. PRAYER. Edmeston. ENTHRONED amidst the world of light, Hide not one mourner from his eye, Drown, by their sound, the faintest sigh. Oh Prayer! thou mine of things unknown, Who can be poor, possessing thee? Thou wert a fount of joy alone, Better than worlds of gold could be. Were I bereft of all beside, That bears the form or name of bliss, I yet were rich, what will betide, If God, in mercy, leave me this. THE EXILE. Barton. THE exile on a foreign strand, Where'er his footsteps roam, Remembers that his father's land Is still his cherish'd home. Though brighter skies may shine above, Still to the spot which gave him birth His warmest wishes turn; And elsewhere own, through all the earth, A stranger's brief sojourn. Oh! thus should man's immortal soul Its privilege revere; And, mindful of its heavenly goal, Seem but an exile here. |