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THE WORLDLY VOICE.
Ye early Dews of Morn,
Sweet wanderers from a bright and better sphere,
Why weep ye o'er the rude leaf, worn and sere—
Ye that in heaven were born?
Sweet wanderers from a bright and better sphere,
Why weep ye o'er the rude leaf, worn and sere—
Ye that in heaven were born?
Oh, thou weak, spendthrift Rose,
Why waste thine odours on the careless night?
Exchanging perfume for unwholesome blight—
Rubb'd by each wind that blows!
Why waste thine odours on the careless night?
Exchanging perfume for unwholesome blight—
Rubb'd by each wind that blows!
Sad Ivy, quit this spot!
Nor wander lorn by porch and abbey;
Why o'er the dead must thy fond shadow fall?
The Dead can serve thee not!
Nor wander lorn by porch and abbey;
Why o'er the dead must thy fond shadow fall?
The Dead can serve thee not!
“Peace, peace! thou Worldly Voice:
The Dews of Morn have their brief mission given;
Their part fulfill'd, they soar again to heaven,
And bid new spheres rejoice.”
The Dews of Morn have their brief mission given;
Their part fulfill'd, they soar again to heaven,
And bid new spheres rejoice.”
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“Be hush'd!” replied the Rose.
“Like deeds by generous hearts in secret done,
I glad the path of those the selfish shun,
And lend what Heaven bestows!”
“Like deeds by generous hearts in secret done,
I glad the path of those the selfish shun,
And lend what Heaven bestows!”
“Oh, Voice from love debarr'd!”
Rejoin'd the Ivy—“Voice the World respects—
I love to shield the Worth which Pride neglects,
And serve without reward!
Rejoin'd the Ivy—“Voice the World respects—
I love to shield the Worth which Pride neglects,
And serve without reward!
“Return, thou Voice, and prove
One simple truth to calculating Man—
Without reward, to do what good he can,
Is God's first law of love!”
One simple truth to calculating Man—
Without reward, to do what good he can,
Is God's first law of love!”
Heard where'er life hath trod—
Dew, Flower, and Leaf, that holy theme convey:
Oh, what were Man, if Man would but obey
Thee, Nature—and his God!
Dew, Flower, and Leaf, that holy theme convey:
Oh, what were Man, if Man would but obey
Thee, Nature—and his God!
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