LIFE.

Many a bright and pleasant vision

Hath the heart in youth,

Visions that the wizard Fancy

Conjures by sweet Necromancy,

Ever robed in hues Elysian,

From the world of Truth;

Many a bright and pleasant vision

Cheers the heart of youth!

Just as though the curtain parted

From the Life Unseen,

And a portion of its gladness,

Unalloy'd by any sadness,

O'er the ripening spirit darted

Like the morning's sheen,

Making us awhile pure-hearted

And our sky serene.

Many a pleasure from the real

Hath our manly prime,

Though the mystic light is shaded,

And the rosy dreams have faded;

For our strengthen'd spirits see all

Things matured by Time,

Growing out of the ideal

Unto truth sublime;

Blossom unto fruitage golden,

Hope to certainty;

All things by divine transition

Keeping pace with life's ambition,

New joys springing from the olden

As we pass them by

Climbing still, by faith upholden,

Onward to the sky.

Many a pleasant recollection

Hath the heart of Age,

That life's tide hath staunchly breasted,

Wrought, achieved and nobly rested,

Musing with calm retrospection

Their past pilgrimage;

Many a sweet and wise reflection

Hath the heart of Age;

Looking forward, dreaming ever

Of the Better Land;

Waiting for the promised glory,

That shall bind their temples hoary

With a brightness fading never

On that holy strand,

Crowning life's devout Endeavour

With a bounteous hand.