  [To Agnes, Louisville.] I send this morning, Agnes dear, A white and fragrant flower, Emblem of maiden Hope and Love, In Confirmation’s hour. O, may the blessings which descend This moment on thy head On thy pure virgin heart and soul Like precious fragrance shed. I in life’s evening gloaming walk, Thou in the morning bright, Night’s blossoms I unfolding see, Thou the Auroral light— Yet all my heart in sympathy Attends thy morning dreams, For well I know the bitterness Of life’s delusive streams. A morning calm, a storm at eve, At morn we joy, ere night we grieve: So when the falling April showers, Bringing the joy of birds and flowers, ’Neath the quick brush of golden sun Catch rainbow colors one by one, The liquid gems quick fade away In dismal vapors cold and gray. Lo, Juliet’s girlish bridal bed With funeral flowers is quickly spread Ere the brief marriage vows are said. Sleeping in Capulet’s vault below Her wedding night with Romeo. Not “True Love’s Course” alone, but Man’s, Never ran smooth since Time began, Even ’mid the thunder shouts of friends McKinley’s breast the bullet rends. Wisdom, Wealth, Pleasure, Glory, Power, Made Judah’s king rejoice: Song, dance, and wine flowed free,—“Now comes God’s judgment!” spoke a voice, For earth is vain and life is frail Since first the world began; To fear and serve the living God Is the whole lot of man. Drink then, sweet Agnes, from the Fount Of Christ’s Eternal Truth, Till He shall bear thee o’er Death’s stream To everlasting Youth. |
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