  BY S. A. H. I saw a noble bark upon the angry main— The foamy billows pressed upon her track; Now high, now low, I saw her timbers strain, As forth she bounded o'er the waters black. But ever, as a deeper plunge she gave, Phosphoric brightness gleamed along the wave: And thus, I said, wide o'er Life's stormy sea, Glances the light of Faith, so pure and free. I marked a threatening cloud hang o'er the western sky, And throw its blackness o'er the landscape fair, Whence lightnings flashed, whence pealed the thunder high, And wide re-echoed through the trembling air. The sun broke forth, and all its dark array Was gilded with the hues of parting day: And thus, I said, can Hope's bright rays illume, And richly paint the darkest days of gloom. I saw, at twilight eve, a snowy flower— It closed its leaves and drooped its tender bud; Cold came the dew, and blightingly the shower Swept o'er the plant in swift destructive flood. But, bending o'er its tender charge its leaves, Bows the strong branch, and needed shelter gives: And thus, I said, does Charity descend, And proves to every drooping one a friend. |
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