 | Metrical essays |  |
156
AN EMBLEM.
A solitary cloud is on the sky,Heavy and black, the warm effulgent sun
Irradiates it not, slow floats it by,
Dark as when first its sullen course began
From the grey west—the only sombre thing,
Where all is beautiful—the clear sunlight
Bathes the blue quiet heaven, the lark's wing
Is crown'd with glory on its sounding flight.
True emblem of the lost and fallen mind!
Drear, though around it love's sweet beams are cast,
Austere and doubtful, gloomy to the last,
Scorning the blessed light to man assign'd;
Sad is its path—in danger it is trod—
Save and forgive that erring mind, O God!
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