 | The girl's reading-book ; in prose and poetry |  |
227
THE CREATOR EVER PRESENT.
See, how the year in changeful garb appears,—
First in its cloudy mantle, moist with showers,
Most like a timid child, 'mid smiles and tears;
Next, as a blooming maiden crowned with flowers;
Then like a matron lulling infant hours
To gentle sleep, with soft, melodious chime;
Then weak and hoary, with enfeebled powers,
And bent beneath the wintry hand of time;
And last, with magic strange, renews her early prime.
First in its cloudy mantle, moist with showers,
Most like a timid child, 'mid smiles and tears;
Next, as a blooming maiden crowned with flowers;
Then like a matron lulling infant hours
To gentle sleep, with soft, melodious chime;
Then weak and hoary, with enfeebled powers,
And bent beneath the wintry hand of time;
And last, with magic strange, renews her early prime.
But still, where'er the varying seasons tread,
Whether with songs of vernal birds they rove,
Or freshly deck the hillock's grassy head,
Or in the reaper's dance rejoicing move,
Or strew with falling leaves the solemn grove;
Still to the thoughtful eye their change is fair,
And still they claim the grateful lay of love
From the meek soul, that feels its Maker's care,
Beholds him in his works, and joys to praise him there.
Whether with songs of vernal birds they rove,
Or freshly deck the hillock's grassy head,
Or in the reaper's dance rejoicing move,
Or strew with falling leaves the solemn grove;
Still to the thoughtful eye their change is fair,
And still they claim the grateful lay of love
From the meek soul, that feels its Maker's care,
Beholds him in his works, and joys to praise him there.
Thou art in every place, Being Supreme!—
Best seen and worshipp'd in thy court above;
Yet here, on earth, thy countenance doth beam
With rays of terror, majesty, and love,
And joys unspeakable thy smile doth move;
Yet none may veil him from thy piercing sight,
Escape thy hand, or from thy presence rove,
Or hide in secret cells, close wrapp'd in night,—
For unto thee, the darkness shineth as the light.
Best seen and worshipp'd in thy court above;
Yet here, on earth, thy countenance doth beam
With rays of terror, majesty, and love,
And joys unspeakable thy smile doth move;
Yet none may veil him from thy piercing sight,
Escape thy hand, or from thy presence rove,
228
For unto thee, the darkness shineth as the light.
Thou dwellest where the curtain'd whirlwinds hide,
Where the arm'd thunder walks its awful round,
Thou on the tempest of the night dost ride,
Flames mark thy path, and clouds thy car surround,
And winds are rais'd, and mighty billows sound,
While from thine eye the winged lightnings part;
Thou in the highest arch of heaven art found,
In the dark regions of the earth thou art,
And in the humble cell of the repentant heart.
Where the arm'd thunder walks its awful round,
Thou on the tempest of the night dost ride,
Flames mark thy path, and clouds thy car surround,
And winds are rais'd, and mighty billows sound,
While from thine eye the winged lightnings part;
Thou in the highest arch of heaven art found,
In the dark regions of the earth thou art,
And in the humble cell of the repentant heart.
If e'er the storms of life, with fearful rage,
Upon my lone, unshelter'd head should blow,
Or trembling down the slippery steep of age,
My weak and unsupported footsteps go,
My locks all white with weariness and wo,
Eternal Father, and Eternal Friend,
Still let my bosom at thy presence glow,
Still let my trusting prayer to thee ascend,
And ever to my wants thy kind compassions lend
Upon my lone, unshelter'd head should blow,
Or trembling down the slippery steep of age,
My weak and unsupported footsteps go,
My locks all white with weariness and wo,
Eternal Father, and Eternal Friend,
Still let my bosom at thy presence glow,
Still let my trusting prayer to thee ascend,
And ever to my wants thy kind compassions lend
| The girl's reading-book ; in prose and poetry | |