No mortal hand with lenient skill But One alone, who reigns above, And light the lamp of joy and love Then, O my soul, to that One flee, THE HOUR OF DEATH. LEAVES have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, Thou hast ALL seasons for thine own, O Death! Day is for mortal care, Eve for glad meetings round the joyous hearth, Night for the dreams of sleep, the voice of prayer;— But all for thee, thou mightiest of the earth. The banquet hath its hour, Its feverish hour of mirth, and song, and wine; There comes a day for grief's o'erwhelming power, A time for softer tears;-but all are thine. Youth and the opening rose May look like things too glorious for decay, And smile at thee; but thou art not of those Who wait the ripen'd bloom to seize their prey. Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, Thou hast ALL seasons for thine own, O Death! We know when moons shall wane, When summer birds from far shall cross the sea, When autumn's hue shall tinge the golden grain; But who shall teach us when to look for thee? Is it when spring's first gale Comes forth to whisper where the violets lie? Thou art where billows foam, Thou art where music melts upon the air, Thou art where friend meets friend, Beneath the shadow of the elm to rest; Thou art where foe meets foe, and trumpets rend The skies, and swords beat down the princely crest. Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, Thou hast ALL seasons for thine own, O Death! LINES ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. T. SPENCER, Who was drowned while bathing in the tide, on the 5th of I WILL not sing a mortal's praise; To whom my powers belong! In earth and ocean, sky and air, I worship not the sun at noon, I will not bow the votive knee To wisdom, virtue, liberty; "There is no god but God," for me; -Jehovah is his name. Him through all nature I explore, Around, beneath, above; But clearest in the human mind, His bright resemblance when I find, Oh! there was ONE,-on earth awhile His beauteous image pass'd us by; Mild, in his undissembling mien The soul, whose hopes were wont to climb Of old, before the lamp grew dark, Thus early call'd, and strongly moved, SPENCER his course began; From strength to strength, from grace to grace, Swiftest and foremost in the race, He carried victory in his face; He triumph'd as he ran. How short his day!-the glorious prize, -The warrior rush'd into the field, The Spirit's sword, the Spirit's shield, The loveliest star of evening's train Who shall forbid the eye to weep, For ever bow'd his honor'd head, The heart of friendship cold and dead, Revolving his mysterious lot, I mourn him, but I praise him not; Who sent him, like the radiant bow, O Church! to whom that youth was dear, |