University of Virginia Library

SPRING'S YOUNG DAYS.

The Forests and the Fountains have a voice,
And freely do they triumph and rejoice;—
A deep voice have they now in this glad time,
While spring fair-opening charms the softened clime.
Would I might stray, in happy idlesse by
Those warbling brooks that wake the sylvanry
To murmurs of an ever-new delight,
And flash their clear blue crystal on the sight.—
Oh!—in the beauty of these fresh, first days
Would I might feast, and rivet long my gaze
On Nature's fine developement, and watch
The out-bursting of the leaves, and gladly snatch
The faintest first tones of the wandering birds,
And mark the quiet of the gladdened herds—
The peace or triumph of all living things;
While this in silence broods—that soars and sings!—
While this seems bent on unreserved display,
And that dreams calm, the Halcyon hours away.
Should I not then, in mine own joy, forget
This world's vain strife and all life's busy fret?
Forget that to this green earth's bosom fair,
Contention (like a serpent coiling there!—)
Is ever closely, strictly, sternly bound,
Breathing its venomed atmosphere around!—
As though in sooth 'twere a most precious tie,
Claiming and meriting such constancy!
A tie, a treasure not to be resigned,
Which to her breast she would for ever bind!
Surely from strife and thoughts of strife set free,
I then might gain repose and liberty:
But here, amid the city's stir and noise,
'Tis pain to picture e'en those gentle joys
Which I am barred from sharing—plunged among
The restless, hurrying, discontented throng;
Yet in the city's dull and gloomy bound,
Some joys of vernal birth may yet be found:
The angel of the spring appears on high,
And builds her throne Cerulean in the sky.
Look upwards—wide she waves her glorious wing,
And all the sky is sunshine and is Spring!
Thus may the thoughts that tremble at my heart,
From this too troubled life's vain din apart;
Whate'er they miss beneath of peace and bliss,
(And much, and more than words can tell, they miss!)
Forgetting not to soar—to hope—to feel—
In upward-looking faith and fervent zeal—
And unblamed confidence of trusting love,
Find all they lack and lose on Earth—Above!