 | Poems |  |
70
A CHORAL ODE.
TO A CHILD.
Smooth and pleasant be the way!
And the lightly flying Hours
Strew your onward path with flowers,
As along Life's vale you stray!
And the lightly flying Hours
Strew your onward path with flowers,
As along Life's vale you stray!
But the thorns fall with the roses,
Which your footsteps shall perplex:
Nature thus her gifts disposes:
Part to pamper, part to vex!
Shall the smooth and glassy Ocean
Sleep for ever, lulled in rest?
Shall the Passion's roused emotion
Never shake the human breast?
But the thunder-clouds are shattered,
And the Tempest dies away;
When the nightly glooms are scattered,
Sweetly dawns the happier day!
Through Adversity and Sorrow,
Dawns the prosperous season bright:
And, we know, the blessed Morrow
Breaks upon the blackest night!
Thou, with gentle resignation,
Bow to Heaven's each wise decree:
There shall follow Compensation,
Large thy recompense shall be!
Go! by every joy attended
Which the human breast may know,
And our hopes and wishes blended
Follow wheresoe'er you go!
Which your footsteps shall perplex:
Nature thus her gifts disposes:
Part to pamper, part to vex!
Shall the smooth and glassy Ocean
Sleep for ever, lulled in rest?
Shall the Passion's roused emotion
Never shake the human breast?
But the thunder-clouds are shattered,
And the Tempest dies away;
When the nightly glooms are scattered,
Sweetly dawns the happier day!
Through Adversity and Sorrow,
Dawns the prosperous season bright:
And, we know, the blessed Morrow
Breaks upon the blackest night!
71
Bow to Heaven's each wise decree:
There shall follow Compensation,
Large thy recompense shall be!
Go! by every joy attended
Which the human breast may know,
And our hopes and wishes blended
Follow wheresoe'er you go!
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