Julia Alpinula :: :: University of Virginia Library

As fast and forward flies his car,
His ministers the Seasons are;
If now he sends the Spring with dew
Earth's flowery borders to renew,
Summer, with sunbeam and with song,
To lead the dance of life along,
And viny Autumn's horn to call
Guests to his gorgeous festival,—
It is but with a smile to gild
The ruin which his wrath has willed.

Soon tyrant Winter's whirlwinds urge
The' assault of earthquake, cloud, and surge;
And pestilence and fever's flame
Suck up the breath, or fire the frame.
The rich sun of delight goes down.
In his annihilating frown,
And we but add—of things destroyed,
One atom to the mighty void.
Thus, unregretted, let decay
Our mortal reliques roll away,
To where the wrecks of ages sleep
Unconscious in the' eternal deep;
The glorious Soul its power shall mock:
Whirled into whiteness round the rock,
That pearl of pearls shall issue bright,
A gem of love, a drop of light,
By Mercy's smile from its abode
Drawn to instar the throne of God!
Sorrow and trial in all time
Assault the spirit to sublime;
Even from our very virtues spring
Thoughts which the heart with anguish wring;
Of one so chastened, one whose love
Was such as angels feel above;
Of one who, thus by anguish tried,
O'er him she could not succour, died,—

My lute in pity would essay
To frame a melancholy lay,
For never yet were wept or told
Truths sad as those its strings unfold.