Go, life, since go you must, Uncertain guest and whimsical ally! All questionless you came, unquestioned go; What does it mean to live, or what to die? Smiling we watch you vanish, for we know Somewhere is nobler living--by and by. EBB AND FLOW. How easily He turns the tides! Just now the yellow beach was dry, Just now the gaunt rocks all were bare, The sun beat hot, and thirstily Each sea-weed waved its long brown hair, And bent and languished as in pain; Then, in a flashing moment's space, The white foam-feet which spurned the sand Paused in their joyous outward race, Wheeled, wavered, turned them to the land, And, a swift legionary band, Poured oil the waiting shores again. How easily He turns the tides! The fulness of my yesterday Has vanished like a rapid dream, And pitiless and far away The cool, refreshing waters gleam: Grim rocks of dread and doubt and pain Rear their dark fronts where once was sea; But I can smile and wait for Him Who turns the tides so easily, Fills the spent rock-pool to its brim, And up from the horizon dim Leads His bright morning waves again. ANGELUS. Softly drops the crimson sun: Softly down from overhead, Drop the bell-notes, one by one, Melting in the melting red; Sign to angel bands unsleeping,-- "Day is done, the dark is dread, Take the world in care and keeping. "Set the white-robed sentries close, Wrap our want and weariness In the surety of repose; Let the shining presences, Bearing fragrance on their wings, Stand about our beds to bless, Fright away all evil things. "Rays of Him whose shadow pours Through all lives a brimming glory, Float o'er darksome woods and moors, Float above the billows hoary; Shine, through night and storm and sin, Tangled fate and bitter story, Guide the lost and wandering in!" Now the last red ray is gone; Now the twilight shadows hie; Still the bell-notes, one by one, Send their soft voice to the sky, Praying, as with human lip,-- "Angels, hasten, night is nigh, Take us to thy guardianship." THE MORNING COMES BEFORE THE SUN. Slow buds the pink dawn like a rose From out night's gray and cloudy sheath; Softly and still it grows and grows, Petal by petal, leaf by leaf; Each sleep-imprisoned creature breaks Its dreamy fetters, one by one, And love awakes, and labor wakes,-- The morning comes before the sun. What is this message from the light So fairer far than light can be? Youth stands a-tiptoe, eager, bright, In haste the risen sun to see; Ah! check thy lunging, restless heart, Count the charmed moments as they run, It is life's best and fairest part, This morning hour before the sun.