 | Love ; or Woman's Destiny |  |
87
PLEASURE.
We all are children in our strife to seize
Each petty pleasure, as it lures the sight;
And like the tall tree, swaying in the breeze,
Our lofty wishes stoop their towering flight,
Till, when the aim is won, it seems no more
Than gathered shell from ocean's countless store.
Each petty pleasure, as it lures the sight;
And like the tall tree, swaying in the breeze,
Our lofty wishes stoop their towering flight,
Till, when the aim is won, it seems no more
Than gathered shell from ocean's countless store.
Or, like the boy, whose eager hand is raised
To seize the shining fly that folds its wings,
We grasp the pleasure, and then stand amazed
To find how small the real good it brings!
The joy is in the chase—so finds the boy—
When seized, then he must loose it, or destroy.
To seize the shining fly that folds its wings,
We grasp the pleasure, and then stand amazed
To find how small the real good it brings!
The joy is in the chase—so finds the boy—
When seized, then he must loose it, or destroy.
88
And yet the child will have enjoyment true,
The sweet and simple pleasure of success;
He reasons not, as older minds would do,
How he shall show the world his happiness:
And, wiser than the crowds who seek display,
His own glad earnest purpose makes him gay.
The sweet and simple pleasure of success;
He reasons not, as older minds would do,
How he shall show the world his happiness:
And, wiser than the crowds who seek display,
His own glad earnest purpose makes him gay.
And ever those who would true pleasure gain
Must find it in the purpose they pursue;
And even failure loses half its pain
If our own soul bear witness—we are true!
Oh, glorious meed! in seeking for the right
We find that clouds conceal, but never quench God's light.
Must find it in the purpose they pursue;
And even failure loses half its pain
If our own soul bear witness—we are true!
Oh, glorious meed! in seeking for the right
We find that clouds conceal, but never quench God's light.
| Love ; or Woman's Destiny | |