University of Virginia Library

The Youth and the Stream

The Youth.

Why so swift thou hurrying tide,
Why unto the ocean glide?
Why not here prolong your stay,
Through the long, bright summer's day?
Here are flowers of every hue,
Here are groves and fields to view;
Stay, and let them ever rest
Imaged on thy peaceful breast.
Why O mortal! thus replied,
To my quest, the rushing tide.
Why art thou, too, hurrying on,
And so soon from earth art gone?
All things here one law obey,
Naught in time can rest, or stay;
Use these moments as they fly,
Time well-spent can never die;
It but goes to fill the sea
Of a blessed eternity.
Mortal! raise your thoughts sublime,
Find eternity in time!
In the Christian's life is rest,
He alone in time is blest;
Living, in the passing hour,
With a life beyond its power.
Souls, made pure, do still retain
Earth's fair flowers on hill, and plain;
In their depths reflected are
Groves, and fields, and evening star;
Lit by Memory's golden ray
There they never fade away.