by Fanny Farmer.
Originally published in Douglas Jerrold's Shilling Magazine (Punch) vol.2 #11 (Nov 1845).
It is not well for deathless souls to cling
Only to that whose end must be—to die!
Th' immortal spirit, borne on Faith's broad wing,
Should soar, and seek its first, best love on high.
Yet must we therefore teach our hearts to deem
The will of earth's Creator best obeyed
By those who speak of beauty as a dream,
And scorn all earthly things—because they fade?
Not so! not so! for beauty, even on earth,
By love and pow'r Divine alone was given;
It is the seal of a celestial birth,
The glorious signet of the King of heaven.
"Love not the world!"-the precept is divine;
"Love not the world!" its pomps, its idle toys,
For these with but deceitful lustre shine,
And cheat the heart with their unreal joys.
But, oh! prize all that still is truly bright,
The love of what is lovely is its due;
'Tis the soul's prophecy of realms of light,
Where all things beautiful are pure and true!
False is the cold philosophy which paints
This God-created world as but a tomb;
Though fallen man upon his journey faints,
Still hath his path some of its early bloom.
Were it not worse than vain to close our eyes
Unto the azure sky and golden light,
Because the tempest-cloud doth sometimes rise,
And glorious day must darken into night?
Think ye 'twas meant that man should find no spell
Of joy and beauty in the song-bird's lay?
Oh! were the bright flow'rs only made to tell
A warning tale of bloom—that must decay?
Not such the lesson the Great Teacher drew
From flow'rs, the living jewels of the sod;
For men he taught, with wisdom deep and true,
To read in them the mercy of our God.
The wondrous bow, which seems the heav'ns to span,
What is more transient? yet by God 'tis made—
Sign of a changeless covenant with man;
And shall we still scorn all things that do fade?
Wiser and better with a thankful mind
To bless our God for ev'ry glory giv'n,
And with a gentle heart to seek and find
In things on earth a type of things in heav'n.