University of Virginia Library


236

STARS ON THE RIVER.

Stars on the river
Night swiftly clears,—
Blest be the Giver
Of eve and her spheres!
Blest be the river
In moonlight that rolls!
Hope's spirit ever
Thus beam on our souls!
Dew on the roses:
I've shaken each crest,
One now reposes
All warm on my breast;
Would we might waken
From life's weary woes
With tears as swift shaken
As dews from the rose!

237

Cares may have bound us—
Why thus repine?
Love is around us,
With all things divine:
Words never stated
The love by Him given
Who earth first created,
Then—wreath'd it with heaven.