Oh! the day was dark and dreary, For clouds swept o'er the sun, The burden of life seemed heavy, And its warfare never done; But I heard a voice at twilight, It whispered in my ear, "Oh, doubting heart, look upward, Dear soul, be of good cheer. Oh, weary heart, look upward, Dear soul, be of good cheer." And lo! on looking upward The stars lit up the sky Like the lights of an endless city, A city set on high. And my heart forgot its sorrow These heavenly homes to see-- Sure in those many mansions Is room for even me, Sure in those many mansions, Is room for thee and me. THE FLIGHT. Here in the silent doorway let me linger One moment, for the porch is still and lonely; That shadow's but the rose vine in the moonlight; All are asleep in peace, I waken only, And he I wait, by my own heart's beating I know how slow to him the tide creeps by, Nor life, nor death, could bar our hearts from meeting; Were worlds between, his soul to mine would fly. Oh, shame! to think a heap of paltry metal Should overbalance manhood's noblest graces; A film of gold had gilt his worth and honor, Warming to smiles the coldness of their faces; Gentle to me, they rise in condemnation, And plead with me than words more powerfully. Oh! well I love them--but they have wealth and station To fill their hearts, and he has only me. But oh, my roses, how their great pure faces Beseech me as they bend from sculptured column. So with my wet cheek closely pressed against them, I listen to their pleadings sweet and solemn. Oh, Memory, if an hour of gloom and grieving I here have known, that hour before me set; But all the peace and joy I am leaving, In mercy, Memory, let me forget. Oh, home! if here a frown has ever chilled me, Let it now rise and darken on my sight. If a harsh word or look has ever grieved me, Let me remember that harsh word to-night. But all the tender words, the fond caressing, The loving smiles that daily I have met, The patient mother love, God's crowning blessing, In mercy, Memory, let me forget. Here she has kissed me with fond looks of greeting; Will that smile fade when waiting me no longer? Oh, true first love, tender and changing never; But there's a love that nearer is and stronger-- He comes! I kneel and kiss the stone, oh, mother, Where you have stood and blessed me with your eyes; Forgive--forgive me, mother--father--brother-- For oh, he loves me--and love sanctifies. COMFORT. Once through an autumn wood I roamed in tearful mood, By grief dismayed, doubting, and ill at ease; When from a leafless oak, Methought low murmurs broke, Complaining accents, as of words like these: "Incline thy mighty ear Great Mother Earth, and hear How I, thy child, am sorely vexed and tossed; No one to heed my moan, I shudder here, alone With my destroyers, wind and snow, and frost.