A memorial volume of sacred poetry by the late Sir John Bowring. To which is prefixed, a memoir of the author, by Lady Bowring |
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Devotion.
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 | A memorial volume of sacred poetry |  |
167
Devotion.
Devotion's hour is swiftly past,
Yet memory keeps its joy enshrined:
And its blest influence long will last,
Like summer-sunshine on the mind.
Yet memory keeps its joy enshrined:
And its blest influence long will last,
Like summer-sunshine on the mind.
If seeds are sown—though they appear
Deep buried—they will sprout anew,
And bring a blessed harvest there:
By sunbeams warmed, and fed with dew.
Deep buried—they will sprout anew,
And bring a blessed harvest there:
By sunbeams warmed, and fed with dew.
It works unseen, it spreads unknown,
But works and spreads with growing strength;
And towering in its course alone,
'Twill rear its head to heaven at length.
But works and spreads with growing strength;
And towering in its course alone,
'Twill rear its head to heaven at length.
Nor clouds, nor storms, nor damps, nor blight,
Its ever-gathering strength impede;
It rises, like a pile of light,
Or everlasting pyramid.
Its ever-gathering strength impede;
It rises, like a pile of light,
Or everlasting pyramid.
| A memorial volume of sacred poetry | |