XXXVI.
THE END OF MAN.
I loved the beauty of the earth,
The brightness of the skies;
Life wooed me with its careless mirth!
My birthright and my prize.
I loved in smooth self-chosen ways
My truant steps to guide,
The Syren voice of partial praise
Was music to my pride.
The lights of heaven shone pale and dim
On eyes that would not see,
The wisdom of the Seraphim
Was foolishness to me.
My life and treasure they were here,
My throbbing pulse beat high,
My step was free, my glance was clear
With youth's gay buoyancy.
But youth was short, and life was frail,
And human praise untrue,
Created beauty but a veil
To hide Thee from my view.
'Twas not for these Thou madest me,
But for Thyself, O Lord;
Thou bad'st me rest alone in Thee,
My Prize and my Reward.
All earthly joy shall fail at last,
All earthly love grow cold,
Save loves by that one Love made fast
To Jesus and His fold.
This earth is but a trial place
To train the souls of men,
Till Nature is transformed to grace,
We know not how nor when.
All earthly aims shall have an end,
All earthly hopes expire;
All faiths that are not Faith, but tend
To the eternal fire.
One aim there is of endless worth,
One sole sufficient Love,
To do Thy will, my God, on earth,
And reign with Thee above.
Who have in life that one true aim,
That only hope in death,
Shall pass unscathed the trial-flame
And earn the amarant wreath.
From joys that failed my soul to fill,
From hopes that all beguiled,
To changeless rest in Thy dear will,
O Jesus, call Thy child.
