Betwixt Two Seas Poems and Ballads (Written at Constantinople and Therapia). By Violet Fane [i.e. M. M. Lamb] |
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THE LESSON
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 | Betwixt Two Seas |  |
104
THE LESSON
What is the lesson stern that changing years
Would teach my heart?
Whatever aspect fickle Fortune wears
Bear thou thy part;
Would teach my heart?
Whatever aspect fickle Fortune wears
Bear thou thy part;
Daily they fade, thy dearest hopes and dreams?
Friends disappear?
Life hath its unexpected after-gleams,
Storms break and clear;
Friends disappear?
Life hath its unexpected after-gleams,
Storms break and clear;
For that lost love that bless'd thy vanished prime
Longest thou still?
Soon shall the petrifying touch of Time
Heal ev'ry ill!
Longest thou still?
Soon shall the petrifying touch of Time
Heal ev'ry ill!
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Weepest thou yet where thy belov'd lies low,
Cold and alone?
Strive daily that thine aching heart may grow
Hard as that stone!
Cold and alone?
Strive daily that thine aching heart may grow
Hard as that stone!
Mournest thou those that have turn'd cold and strange
Without Death's touch?
Nought that can happen in a world of change
Counteth for much!
Without Death's touch?
Nought that can happen in a world of change
Counteth for much!
Toil thou, or take thy leisure, early, late,
Fail or succeed;—
Cry out, in thy despair, to God or Fate
Who shall take heed?
Fail or succeed;—
Cry out, in thy despair, to God or Fate
Who shall take heed?
Into my heart this lesson changing years
Would sear and burn:
Alas, a lesson that, despite my tears,
I cannot learn!
Would sear and burn:
Alas, a lesson that, despite my tears,
I cannot learn!
| Betwixt Two Seas | |