 | Miscellaneous Pieces |  |
16
Ode to Hope.
Friend of the fainting mind, whose kindly ray,
Soft rising o'er affliction's dreary shade,
Foretells the sweet approach of day,
And cheers the weary darksome way,
And bids dejection raise her languid head.
Soft rising o'er affliction's dreary shade,
Foretells the sweet approach of day,
And cheers the weary darksome way,
And bids dejection raise her languid head.
Celestial hope, on thy propitious smile
Calm patience waits, by thee sustain'd
She ne'er repines, though often pain'd;
Untiring through life's various toil,
She knows to bear
With placid air
Cold wintry storms, and treads down thorny care.
Calm patience waits, by thee sustain'd
She ne'er repines, though often pain'd;
Untiring through life's various toil,
She knows to bear
With placid air
Cold wintry storms, and treads down thorny care.
Dear faithful friend, thy lenient hand allays
The pangs of grief, and smooths the frowning brow
Of rough adversity, thy voice conveys
Reviving comfort to the sons of woe;
Thy gentle voice rebukes their fears,
The sigh, suspended, listening dies,
And sorrow stays her flowing tears
While happier scenes in distant prospect rise.
Thou last, kind solace of distress,
Whose smile retains a power to bless
Though every friend besides, depart;
Still kind, still faithful to thy trust,
Thy influence hovers o'er the panting heart,
While reason lives to wake desire,
Till life's pale trembling lamp expire,
Till the pain'd, prison'd mind shall rise,
And drop her feeble mansion in the dust,
To claim thy promis'd bliss beyond the skies.
The pangs of grief, and smooths the frowning brow
Of rough adversity, thy voice conveys
Reviving comfort to the sons of woe;
Thy gentle voice rebukes their fears,
The sigh, suspended, listening dies,
And sorrow stays her flowing tears
While happier scenes in distant prospect rise.
17
Whose smile retains a power to bless
Though every friend besides, depart;
Still kind, still faithful to thy trust,
Thy influence hovers o'er the panting heart,
While reason lives to wake desire,
Till life's pale trembling lamp expire,
Till the pain'd, prison'd mind shall rise,
And drop her feeble mansion in the dust,
To claim thy promis'd bliss beyond the skies.
Celestial hope, fair child of truth divine!
O may thy heavenly ray,
Bright harbinger of day,
Still on my heart with cheering lustre shine!
Through each dark scene, each mournful shade,
Till I no more shall need thy aid;
Till that bright hour, when to my raptur'd eyes
(O may I call the unknown transport mine!)
The morning of immortal day shall rise,
And thou to perfect joy thy charge resign.
O may thy heavenly ray,
Bright harbinger of day,
Still on my heart with cheering lustre shine!
Through each dark scene, each mournful shade,
Till I no more shall need thy aid;
Till that bright hour, when to my raptur'd eyes
(O may I call the unknown transport mine!)
The morning of immortal day shall rise,
And thou to perfect joy thy charge resign.
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