Poems; original and translated by Charles Rann Kennedy ... and Two Poems by the Rev. Rann Kennedy. New Edition. By Charles Rann Kennedy |
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HUMANITY. |
 | Poems; original and translated |  |
HUMANITY.
Oh, why is Nature soft and mild?
Why do the moonbeams play
O'er rippling waters, like a child
Upon a holiday?
Why do the moonbeams play
O'er rippling waters, like a child
Upon a holiday?
The zephyr woos the aspen-tree,
And bids it gently move;
Birds wake their tuneful melody,
And fill the air with love.
And bids it gently move;
Birds wake their tuneful melody,
And fill the air with love.
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Charm is there in the modest flower
That from the greenwood peeps,
In verdure glistening after shower
Like beauty when it weeps.
That from the greenwood peeps,
In verdure glistening after shower
Like beauty when it weeps.
The very storms are merciful,
Their anger passes by;
And lovely is the tempest's lull,
And sweet the rainbow sky.
Their anger passes by;
And lovely is the tempest's lull,
And sweet the rainbow sky.
Therefore is Nature soft and mild,
That human hearts may learn
To tame the savage and the wild,
To soothe the proud and stern.
That human hearts may learn
To tame the savage and the wild,
To soothe the proud and stern.
Relax thy frown, thou lord of earth,
Unbend thy haughty brow:
Twas gentle woman gave thee birth,
And once a child wast thou:
Unbend thy haughty brow:
Twas gentle woman gave thee birth,
And once a child wast thou:
And thou wert made for happiness,
And thou wert born for woe:
Then welcome joy, that comes to bless,
And check not pity's flow.
And thou wert born for woe:
Then welcome joy, that comes to bless,
And check not pity's flow.
The fairest path is wearisome
Without a smile to cheer,
And heavier would affliction come
Unsoften'd by a tear.
Without a smile to cheer,
And heavier would affliction come
Unsoften'd by a tear.
| Poems; original and translated | |