A Song of Life.
When on the dimpled cheek of youth1
Health’s blooming roses blow ;2
When songs of rapture, hope and truth3
From lips of beauty flow ;4
When youthful feet right gaily bound5
Where thorn nor tare appears,6
How joyously the days go round—7
The weeks, the months, the years.8
The youth beholds with fearless eye9
The lofty hill of fame ;10
And hopes upon its summit high11
E’er long to carve his name !12
Joy thrills his heart—in every sound13
Fame’s bugle call he hears ;14
And merrily the days go round—15
The weeks, the months, the years.16
The lady of his love must prove17
A queen of beauty rare ;18
No vain coquette—but wise in love,19
And true as she is fair ;20
Amid the tender stars at night21
He sees her dear eyes shine,22
As with a trusting, fond delight23
He worships at her shrine.24
But when the furrowed cheek of age25
Care’s hollow wrinkles show,26
The old man turns his life’s last page27
With trembling hand and slow ;28
Dark lower the skies—in every sound29
Death’s mournful dirge he hears,30
And wearily the days go round—31
The weeks, the months, the years.32
The old man sees through tear-blurred eye33
The lofty hill of fame,34
Where cherished hopes in ruin lie,35
Where none may mark his name ;36
One little, lonely, nameless mound37
At every step appears,38
As mournfully the days go round,39
The weeks, the months, the years.40
The lady of his love, alas,41
Hath closed her weary eyes,42
With but one tiny tuft of grass43
To show him where she lies ;44
“ Old wife of mine,” he whispers low,45
“ Above thy grave I see46
The star of faith, whose beams I know47
Shall guide me soon to thee.”48