Like a great golden ball into the sea, Which made room, laughing, and the serried rank Of yellow lances flashed, and, turning, sank After their chieftain, as he led the way, And all the heaven was gray. Startled and pale, I stood to see them go; Then a long, stealing shadow to me crept, And laid his cold hand on me, and I wept And hid my eyes, and shivered with affright At thought of coming night. But as I wept and shuddered, a warm thrill Smote on my sense. I raised my eyes, and lo! The skies, so dim but now, were all aglow With a new flush of tender rose and gold, Opening fold on fold. Higher and higher soared the gracious beam, Deeper and deeper glowed the heavenly hues, Nor any cowering shadow could refuse The beautiful embrace which clasped and kissed Its dun to amethyst. A little longer, and the lovely light, Draining the last drops from its wondrous urn, Departed, and the swart shades in their turn, Impatient of the momentary mirth, Crowded to seize the earth. No longer do I shudder. With calm eye I front the night, nor wish its hours away; For in that message from my banished day I read his pledge of dawn, and soon or late I can endure to wait. HOPE AND I. Hope stood one morning by the way, And stretched her fair right hand to me, And softly whispered, "For this day I'll company with thee." "Ah, no, dear Hope," I sighing said; "Oft have you joined me in the morn, But when the evening came, you fled And left me all forlorn. "'Tis better I should walk alone Than have your company awhile, And then to lose it, and go on For weary mile on mile," She turned, rebuked. I went my way, But sad the sunshine seemed, and chill; I missed her, missed her all the day, And O, I miss her still. LEFT BEHIND. We started in the morning, a morning full of glee, All in the early morning, a goodly company; And some were full of merriment, and all were kind and dear: But the others have pursued their way, and left me sitting here. My feet were not so fleet as theirs, my courage soon was gone, And so I lagged and fell behind, although they cried "Come on!" They cheered me and they pitied me, but one by one went by, For the stronger must outstrip the weak; there is no remedy. Some never looked behind, but smiled, and swiftly, hand in hand, Departed with, a strange sweet joy I could not understand; I know not by what silver streams their roses bud and blow, Rut I am glad--O very glad--they should be happy so. And some they went companionless, yet not alone, it seemed; For there were sounds of rustling wings, and songs,--or else we dreamed; And a glow from lights invisible to us lit up the place, And tinged, as if with glory, each dear and parting face.