Memoir and remains of the Rev. James D. Burns ... By the late Rev. James Hamilton [i.e. J. D. Burns] |
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WRITTEN AT HASTINGS, 1860. |
 | Memoir and remains of the Rev. James D. Burns |  |
WRITTEN AT HASTINGS, 1860.
Along the shell fringe of the bay
I hear the rippling water's flow,
O'er the green waves, in restless play,
The lights and shadows come and go.
I hear the rippling water's flow,
O'er the green waves, in restless play,
The lights and shadows come and go.
Swift as the ruffling breezes range
O'er ocean's wide and clear expanse,
Its tints, in wavering interchange,
Like gleams of opal flash and glance.
O'er ocean's wide and clear expanse,
Its tints, in wavering interchange,
Like gleams of opal flash and glance.
But for the clouds that float on high
No shifting lights would sparkle there;
O'ervaulted by an azure sky
The waters were not half so fair.
No shifting lights would sparkle there;
O'ervaulted by an azure sky
The waters were not half so fair.
But for the breeze that o'er the deep
Goes forth careering wild and free,
It would but lie in idle sleep,
A glittering, blank monotony.
Goes forth careering wild and free,
It would but lie in idle sleep,
A glittering, blank monotony.
And so, belovèd, 'twere not wise
To wish this serious life of ours
Could know but calm and sunny skies,
And count but bright and smiling hours.
To wish this serious life of ours
Could know but calm and sunny skies,
And count but bright and smiling hours.
So might it run to selfish waste,
Worthless, though brilliant it might seem,
Its trembling hopes and pleasures based
On the duration of a dream.
Worthless, though brilliant it might seem,
Its trembling hopes and pleasures based
On the duration of a dream.
221
'Tis change and trial that have power
To throw on life a light divine,
And make it in its darkest hour
With Faith's celestial radiance shine.
To throw on life a light divine,
And make it in its darkest hour
With Faith's celestial radiance shine.
Let windy storm and tempest blow,
Let clouds their frowning shadows cast,
If Patience, Love, and Wisdom grow,
And Hope gleam brightly to the last.
Let clouds their frowning shadows cast,
If Patience, Love, and Wisdom grow,
And Hope gleam brightly to the last.
| Memoir and remains of the Rev. James D. Burns | |