Scenes in the West Indies, and Other Poems, by Adeline (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843 Excerpt: ...voice that long Around his dwelling cast its sweetest spell, He deems hath mingled with the angels' song, The heaven-born spirit ceased on earth to dwell: And thus he mourns. Alas that passions dire Should e'er have bid a father's hope expire. Yet thou art calm: the rushing tide of woe Hath fail'd to quench the spirit's living fire; The stream of gladness in its quiet flow Is all unbroken by a mortal's ire. Why should'st thou fear, whose deep and steadfast eye Can pierce the gloom of dark futurity 1 O brighter days are hasting Not in vain Hath sorrow twined around thine early years; Not vainly wert thou destined to sustain Such weight of ill, and dark foreboding fears; Not vainly: for thy God hath chosen thee Bright instrument of His designs to be. Long years have fled: --on sacred page we trace The record of thy sorrows, --they are gone. The crown that deck'd thy brow; the glory, grace, And fame that wreathed thy name;--all, all are flown. Be ours the task to seek that bless'd abode, Where now thou standest by the throne of God. THE PAST. "The past recall " O say not so, though time Upon thy brow his deep'ning shades hath flung; Though fled the buoyancy of youthful prime, And hush'd the lay that youthful fancy sung; Though joy be mute, And hope's faint whisper as a distant lute. Thine eye is dim; and change and blight have shed Their mildew on thy spirit; o'er the heart Not lightly have long years of sorrow fled, Nor pass'd innoxious care's envenom'd dart: No; they have blent Their own deep shadows with thy soul's content. And thou art not as erst: --the laughing brow That waked e'en gladness in the breast of care, Hath cloud of drooping heaviness; for thou Of earthly bitterness hast had sad share: Each passing tone To thee is requiem of pleasure ...