Love and Hope and Youth, together—

Travelling once in stormy weather,

Met a deep and gloomy tide,

Flowing swift and dark and wide.

'Twas named the river of Despair,—

And many a wreck was floating there!

The urchins paused, with faces grave,

Debating how to cross the wave,

When lo! the curtain of the storm

Was severed, and the rainbow's form

Stood against the parting cloud—

Emblem of peace on trouble's shroud!

Hope pointed to the signal flying,

And the three, their shoulders plying,

O'er the stream the light arch threw—

A rainbow bridge of loveliest hue!

Now, laughing as they tripped it o'er,

They gayly sought the other shore:

But soon the hills began to frown,

And the bright sun went darkly down.

Though their step was light and fleet,

The rainbow vanished 'neath their feet,—

And down they went,—the giddy things!

But Hope put forth his ready wings,—

And clinging Love and Youth he bore

In triumph to the other shore.

But ne'er I ween should mortals deem

On rainbow bridge to cross a stream,

Unless bright, buoyant Hope is nigh,

And, light with Love and Youth, they fly!