AUTUMN LEAVES.


My life is like the autumn leaves
Now falling fast,
Which grew of late so fresh and fair--
Too fair to last.

The mar of earth and canker-worm
The foliage bears;
So my poor life of sin and care
The impress wears.

As shine the leaves before they fall
With brighter hue,
And each defect of worm and time
Is lost to view,

So may my life, when fading, shine
With brighter ray,
And brighter still as nearer to
The perfect day.

And as new life still springs again
From fallen leaves,
And richer life a thousand-fold