 | Poems |  |
109
SEED-TIME.
Grief is a rain, to fall
Upon us, one and all,
Like needful showers that make the dry earth mellow;
For autumn days will come—
The root of love is numb,
Its sweetest blossoms all are sear and yellow.
Upon us, one and all,
Like needful showers that make the dry earth mellow;
For autumn days will come—
The root of love is numb,
Its sweetest blossoms all are sear and yellow.
And then a quick regret
Will harshly seem to whet
The ploughshare of misfortune, while it burrows
Along its cruel way;
And glossy locks grow gray
And lusterless beside the new-turned furrows.
Will harshly seem to whet
The ploughshare of misfortune, while it burrows
Along its cruel way;
And glossy locks grow gray
And lusterless beside the new-turned furrows.
Old Time comes on amain—
A farmer with his grain,
Experience he sifts between his fingers,
As up and down he goes.
Search, Time, along the rows;
Lest in thy path a weed of evil lingers!
A farmer with his grain,
Experience he sifts between his fingers,
As up and down he goes.
Search, Time, along the rows;
Lest in thy path a weed of evil lingers!
110
His cunning skill is such
He seeks with careful touch
The seeded groves with softest soil to cover;
Yet, Time, thou hast not art,
But in some bruiséd heart
Long traces of thy husbandry will hover!
He seeks with careful touch
The seeded groves with softest soil to cover;
Yet, Time, thou hast not art,
But in some bruiséd heart
Long traces of thy husbandry will hover!
O, busy husbandman,
How perfect is thy plan!
Behold the harvest! for thy careful flinging
Of little curious seed
Shall come a crop indeed;
Lo! peace, and trust, and every virtue springing!
How perfect is thy plan!
Behold the harvest! for thy careful flinging
Of little curious seed
Shall come a crop indeed;
Lo! peace, and trust, and every virtue springing!
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