LXXII. HYMN FOR SPRING. "Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." SONG OF SOLOMON II. 11, 12, I. We look around upon returning Spring, Great source of life and beauty! and to Thee Would turn with renovated love, and sing The goodness that adorns each bush and tree: But cold our hearts, and lifeless is our praise! With sin polluted, we essay in vain On heavenly wings our earthly thoughts to raise, And chant thy glories in a holier strain. III. Would that the scene around us could impart Pure as the song which seraphim might own, And even from earth should mortal voices blend With theirs who sing for ever round the throne. IV. O nature's God, and God of grace, look down! LXXIII. LOOK AROUND. I. ART thou from bitterest sorrows free? Tried by no dire calamity ?— Look round upon thy fellow-men With searching, thoughtful glance-and then, From earth to heaven uplift thy gaze, And pour a fervid song of praise. II. Amid the homes thou knowest near, How few where hopes and joys combine, Brighter than are-or might be thine! III. Thou art not free from every ill : So sheltered upon earth: the tree Fenced from the breeze as well as storm, Is poor in fruit, and weak in form. IV. Where sunbeams play, the winds may blow; Tell of a sun above the cloud. V. A little while, and thou shalt see A land from clouds and shadows free ; In light unutterable blest: 'Tis high above this changeful dome; The seraph's and the good man's home. LXXIV. THE MOTHER'S SOLACE. "Of such is the kingdom of God."-MARK X. 14. I. DEEM not, because its race was run So quickly upon earth, In vain thy darling little one Partook of mortal birth. II. Nor think, because thy joy is flown, A mother's rapturous gladness. |