Art and Fashion :: :: University of Virginia Library

Art and Fashion

With other sketches, songs and poems. By Charles Swain

Swain, Charles (1801-1874)

[epigraph]

II.

“NIGHT” AND “MORNING.”

THE VICAR'S BLIND DAUGHTER.

WATCHING AND WAITING.

CHRIST BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN.

LINES WRITTEN ON THE DEATH OF MISS FLEMING.

LINES ON THE DEATH OF SIR JOHN POTTER, M.P., FOUNDER OF THE FREE LIBRARY.

OLD FRIENDS AND OLD TIMES.

TO THE YOUNG.

A HEART FOR EVERY ONE.

THANK GOD FOR ALL.

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

THE OLD EVENINGS.

THE CHARITIES OF LIFE.

WAITING FOR THE COUNTESS.

FAITHFUL AND FAITHLESS.

ANGELS.

LOVE THEE?

MY LIFE WAS LIKE A FOUNTAIN.

THINKING OF OTHER DAYS.

LET NOBODY KNOW.

WAIT TILL I PUT ON MY BONNET.

THE GARDEN STREAM.

THE HAND OF A FRIEND.

NE'ER WILL I FORSAKE THEE, MOTHER.

LINES ON THE DEATH OF HENRY DRINKWATER BIRCH, AGED SEVEN YEARS.

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177

LINES ON THE DEATH OF SIR JOHN POTTER, M.P., FOUNDER OF THE FREE LIBRARY.

Life and Death—two words containing
More than human thought can span:
What is Death?—the dust remaining
Utters no response to man.

We behold:—but earthly vision
Cannot compass that domain,
Cannot climb that world Elysian
Where the dead new life attain.

Life is duty!—noblest therefore
He who best that course selects;
Never waiting, asking “Wherefore?”—
Acting as his heart directs!

Feeling, that through Education
Lies the secret of all good;
That to make a happy nation,
Men must first be understood!

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Know each other—aid each other—
Short the space 'twixt life and death,
When the lowest shall be brother
To the highest that have breath.

Thou who felt for human labour,
Knew its means and pleasures few,
Thou that sought thy humbler neighbour;
Teaching others what to do!

Thousands,—in the far to-morrow,—
Shall survey this hallowed ground,
And with tears of silent sorrow
Bless the friend their fathers found!

All that is of power or beauty
Passeth from our steps away;
In the path of Faith and Duty
Honour lives, though Man decay.