 | Songs and ballads |  |
77
A MOMENT.
'Tis the breath of a moment—which no one regardeth—
That holdeth the key to each secret of life;
'T is “a moment” that oft our long watching rewardeth,
And calms the dark waters of sorrow and strife:
Its breath may seem nothing—and yet 't is extending
A power the sublimest our being can know,
A moment may yield us a bliss without ending—
A moment consign us to darkness and woe!
That holdeth the key to each secret of life;
'T is “a moment” that oft our long watching rewardeth,
And calms the dark waters of sorrow and strife:
Its breath may seem nothing—and yet 't is extending
A power the sublimest our being can know,
A moment may yield us a bliss without ending—
A moment consign us to darkness and woe!
Its circle may flash with a beauty that ages
May crown as immortal, and hallow its birth;
A moment may question the wisdom of sages,
And change the whole system and science of earth.
A moment—the soul of the painter can feel it—
It thrills thro' his frame with a spirit like fire;
A moment—oh! once let the gifted reveal it,
And heaven is short of the height 't would aspire.
May crown as immortal, and hallow its birth;
A moment may question the wisdom of sages,
And change the whole system and science of earth.
A moment—the soul of the painter can feel it—
It thrills thro' his frame with a spirit like fire;
A moment—oh! once let the gifted reveal it,
And heaven is short of the height 't would aspire.
Go ask of the hero when victory soundeth
What glory a moment of time may command;
Ask the home-seeking sailor, while fast his heart boundeth,
How sweet is the moment he views his own land:
Ask the lover, when whisper to whisper replieth
In accents that tremble lest lips be o'erheard;
And oh! they will tell you each moment that dieth
Hath crowded eternity oft in a word.
What glory a moment of time may command;
Ask the home-seeking sailor, while fast his heart boundeth,
How sweet is the moment he views his own land:
Ask the lover, when whisper to whisper replieth
In accents that tremble lest lips be o'erheard;
And oh! they will tell you each moment that dieth
Hath crowded eternity oft in a word.
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