 | The Fortunes of Faith |  |
145
FREEDOM IN MISFORTUNE.
146
I
Sweet Freedom! slow may be thy step and sad,Long the dark day, and strong the evil fate,
The glory of thy face no longer glad,
And Friendship false, and Enmity elate;
Yet still I love thee, Dear Unfortunate!
Fair Mourner! fair, as when thine eye looked proud;
All-beautiful, as in thy high estate;
Yes! dear, as when thy joyous laugh was loud,
And round thy beauty knelt a fond, admiring crowd.
147
II
The love, that found thy smiles delicious food,Should prize the grateful nurture of thy tears,
With tender skill contrive thy grief some good,
And hold the word of kindness to thy fears.
O happy Mourner! whom true Love reveres
And makes as blest as thou canst bear to be;
Thy sadness charms, thy helplessness endears;
Yes! kinder feel the storms that howl o'er thee,
Than the soft summer air that breathes on Tyranny.
III
Look up, sweet Freedom! let not Sorrow findIts open book too dreadful for thy view;
Majestic Student! gather up thy mind,
And read the bitter volume bravely through.
Nought writ therein will startle thee as new:
Alas! too learned in the lore of Woe
Thy life has been; this lesson adds but few
To former pains; a little more to know
Is toil thy mighty mind can safely undergo
148
IV
Immortal Freedom! let not Sorrow dieWithout the peace a useful life must lend;
Its healing virtue to thy hurts apply,
And thank the freedom of the rough, kind friend.
Yes! dear affliction shall in glory end;
Thy life its happiest day has yet to see,
When the fond hearts that feel it sweet to spend
Their love upon the woe that hallows thee,
Shall triumph in thy joy, imperial Liberty!
| The Fortunes of Faith | |