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115
THE FIRST VIOLET.
Sweet violet, that out of view,
Through snow and sleet and shower,
Hast kept a speck of heavenly blue
To bless this vernal hour.
Through snow and sleet and shower,
Hast kept a speck of heavenly blue
To bless this vernal hour.
Oh, could we learn thy gentle art
When trouble clouds our skies,
To cherish in our secret heart
A hope that never dies!
When trouble clouds our skies,
To cherish in our secret heart
A hope that never dies!
Sweet violet, that dost enfold
In buds thy fragrance rare,
Through weary months of rain and cold,
To sweeten now the air.
In buds thy fragrance rare,
Through weary months of rain and cold,
To sweeten now the air.
116
Oh, could we emulate thy skill,
To nurse, through days of gloom,
A patient faith that watches still
To burst in odorous bloom!
To nurse, through days of gloom,
A patient faith that watches still
To burst in odorous bloom!
Not always in this wintry world
Shall Hope neglected lie,
But soon its grace shall be unfurled
Beneath a fairer sky.
Shall Hope neglected lie,
But soon its grace shall be unfurled
Beneath a fairer sky.
Not always will the breath divine
Of Faith forgotten be,
But soon a genial day will shine,
To set its sweetness free.
Of Faith forgotten be,
But soon a genial day will shine,
To set its sweetness free.
Then, in serener climes above,
Shall Faith and Hope appear,
Decking the brow of sovereign Love
Through the eternal year.
Shall Faith and Hope appear,
Decking the brow of sovereign Love
Through the eternal year.
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