XXII.
PRESENT AND FUTURE.
1
As from a gloomy valley,
O'er which clouds are sweeping,
Which with each other dally,
And end, like love, in weeping;—
Where wind and rain are beating,
To shelter birds retreating,
And all things living hush'd;
We gaze on hills afar,
Where sunbeams glowing are,
And life with light is flush'd:
2
So from the Present's sorrow,
Where sighs and tears prevail,
We look toward far to-morrow,
And the Future's sunlight hail—
Bright as bright hills seen from the valley,
Where the rain and cold winds dally,
And the clouds are canopy,
And unseen one happy bird,
And no insect-cherup heard,
And leaves and flowers weep mournfully.
3
But when we gain the height
Of time call'd future then,
We find that joyful light
Which there seem'd denizen
Is vanish'd; and the gloom
Which made the earth a tomb
Hath with us been travelling:
As the clouds to hill from valley
With us in our pathway sally
And there in gloom are gathering.
4
But still on heights beyond, beyond,
The cloud-chased rays are met;
And on we pace, with footsteps fond,
In search of sunshine yet—
Though still the clouds above us
Float onward, to reprove us:
So ever are we cheated
By the Future's flying light;
Till despair whelms all in night—
And the soul drags back, defeated.
