For my heart was hot and restless, But now it has fallen from me, Yet whenever I cross the river, And I think how many thousands Each bearing his burden of sorrow, I see the long procession Still passing to and fro; The young heart hot and restless, And for ever and for ever, As long as the heart has passions, The moon and its broken reflection, Longfellow. THE OLD CLOCK ON THE STAIRS. Somewhat back from the village street Tall poplar-trees their shadows throw; By day its voice is low and light; And seems to say, at each chamber door-"For ever-never! Never-for ever!" Through days of sorrow and of mirth, Of changeful time, unchanged it has stood, Never-for ever!" In that mansion used to be His great fires up the chimney roared; But, like the skeletons at the feast, Never-for ever!" There groups of merry children played, Those hours the ancient time-piece told— Never-for ever!" From that chamber, clothed in white, The bride came forth on her wedding night; The dead lay in his shroud of snow; Was heard the old clock on the stair- Never for ever!” All are scattered now and fled, Never for ever!" Never here for ever there, Where all parting, pain, and care, "For ever-never! Longfellow. RESIGNATION. There is no flock, however watched and tended, But one dead lamb is there! There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair! The air is full of farewells to the dying, The heart of Rachel, for her children crying, Let us be patient! These severe afflictions But oftentimes celestial benedictions Assume this dark disguise. We see but dimly through the mists and vapours Amid these earthly damps; What seem to us but sad, funereal tapers, May be heaven's distant lamps. |