Spring-Time Memories.
The winter is o’er and the dawning1
Of spring tells us summer is nigh,2
Yon zephyr-like clouds seem an awning3
Just spread ’tween the earth and the sky,4
To hold back the wonderful glory5
That waits to be poured overhead ;6
Proclaiming anew the glad story7
Of God bringing life from the dead.8
Come, loved one, arise, let us wander9
Far, far from the city to-day,10
In careless forgetfulness squander11
The hours, like children at play ;12
Let us put aside sorrow and sadness,13
Our hearts have been bowed in the past ;14
Sweet spring has brought back life and gladness,15
And a hope that is ever to last.16
She comes, with the promise God-given,17
She comes with her soft, balmy breath,18
The life-giving angel of heaven,19
Awaking all nature from death.20
The snowdrops are out in the border,21
The crocuses shining in gold,22
The blue-bonnets come in their order,23
With a thousand sweet flowers untold.24
Ah ! pleasure and pain, how you mingle25
When we tune recollection’s old harp,26
My head, heart and hands, how they tingle27
With memories pleasant and sharp.28
I see you once more in a glory29
Of bluebells and violets sweet,30
The hawthorn is blossoming o’er you,31
And I sitting low at your feet.32
The primroses clustered around us,33
’Mongst moss by that brightest of rills,34
The drooping anemone found us35
When we lifted our eyes to the hills ;36
Dear scenes of enchantment, ah, never37
Shall time from this bosom efface38
These gifts of the bounteous giver39
Who clothes our earth with such grace.40
Oh, spring time has wonderful beauty41
When God says to nature, “ Come forth !”42
She blossoms, obedient to duty,43
And gone are the winds of the north !44
And thou, oh, chill death, our bereaver,45
Vaunt not ! so triumphantly brave,46
He will call forth each waiting believer47
From the silence and sleep of the grave.48