 | Orestes and other poems |  |
MISFORTUNE.
See how the sun is melting into goldThe autumn leaves; and under them behold
A lingering flower—how richly clothed with light!
Yet half the hue by a leaf's shade from sight
Concealed: what pity darkly thus to hide
This fair terrestrial beauty's sunlight pride!
But lo! the leaf that shades it, struck with light,
Flashes back red and gold upon the sight
Of the great sun. Thus is Misfortune here;
The flower our life, the leaf's dark shade the sphere
Of sorrow; and could we but know the source
From whence it comes, we should not care to force
Away from us that shade which is perchance
Our glory, like the leaf which doth enhance
The beauty of the flower. E'en as we see,
Nature unfolds, in part, her greatest mystery.
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