264 GOOD FROM EVIL. "T is a homely scene, I told you so, Be kind unto the old, my friend, They 're worn with this world's strife, Though bravely once perchance they fought The stern, fierce battle of life. They taught our youthful feet to climb Then let us gently lead them down GOOD FROM EVIL. THE clouds which rise with thunder, slake The blow most dreaded falls to break And wrongs of man to man but make J. G. WHITTIER. Was my dream, then, a shadowy lie? LUCY HOOPER. EXCELSIOR. THE shades of night were falling fast, His brow was sad; his eye beneath, And like a silver clarion rung The accents of that unknown tongue, In happy homes he saw the light Of household fires gleam warm and bright; Above, the spectral glaciers shone, "Try not the Pass!" the old man said; "Dark lowers the tempest overhead, The roaring torrent is deep and wide!" And loud that clarion voice replied, Excelsior! "O stay," the maiden said, "and rest "Beware the pine-tree's withered branch! At break of day, as heavenward A traveller, by the faithful hound, A FAREWELL. Still grasping in his hand of ice That banner with the strange device, There in the twilight cold and gray, 267 LONGFELLOW. A FAREWELL. My fairest child, I have no song to give you; Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; Do noble things, not dream them, all day long; And so make life, death, and that vast Forever One grand, sweet song. CHARLES KINGSLEY. |