Whose glance would scorch thy smiling grace,
And cast thee shuddering on thy face!

The fall thou darest to despise--
May be the angel's slackened hand
Has suffered it, that he may rise
And take a firmer, surer stand;
Or, trusting less to earthly things,
May henceforth learn to use his wings.

And judge none lost; but wait, and see,
With hopeful pity, not disdain;
The depth of the abyss may be
The measure of the height of pain
And love and glory that may raise
This soul to God in after days!




VERSE: FRIEND SORROW


Do not cheat thy Heart and tell her,
"Grief will pass away,
Hope for fairer times in future,
And forget to-day."--
Tell her, if you will, that sorrow
Need not come in vain;
Tell her that the lesson taught her