That but for this our souls were free, And but for that our lives were blest; That in some season yet to be Our cares will leave us time to rest. Whene'er we groan with ache or pain, That when like babes with fingers burned That when we sob o'er fancied woes, That when we stand with tearless eye "Ah, had I but one thousand more!" Though temples crowd the crumbled brink O'erhanging truth's eternal flow, Their tablets bold with what we think, Their echoes dumb to what we know ; That one unquestioned text we read, Can burn or blot it: GOD IS LOVE! SPRING HAS COME. INTRA MUROS. THE sunbeams, lost for half a year, Slant through my pane their morning rays; For dry northwesters cold and clear, The east blows in its thin blue haze. And first the snowdrop's bells are seen, The tulip's horn of dusky green, The peony's dark unfolding ball. The golden-chaliced crocus burns ; The willow's whistling lashes, wrung By the wild winds of gusty March, With sallow leaflets lightly strung, Are swaying by the tufted larch. The elms have robed their slender spray With full-blown flower and embryo leaf; Wide o'er the clasping arch of day Soars like a cloud their hoary chief. See the proud tulip's flaunting cup, Behold it withering, — then look up, How meek the forest monarch's flower! When wake the violets, Winter dies; When sprout the elm-buds, Spring is near; When lilacs blossom, Summer cries, "Bud, little roses! Spring is here!" The windows blush with fresh bouquets, Pink as Aurora's finger-tips. Nor less the flood of light that showers On beauty's changed corolla-shades, – The walks are gay as bridal bowers With rows of many-petalled maids. The scarlet shell-fish click and clash Here comes the dealer's awkward string, With neck in rope and tail in knot, Rough colts, with careless country-swing, In lazy walk or slouching trot. -Wild filly from the mountain-side, Doomed to the close and chafing thills, Lend me thy long, untiring stride To seek with thee thy western hills! I hear the whispering voice of Spring, That sits and sings, but longs to fly. |