Old Ocean's burnished breast seem'd heaving gold.

Only "a little while" since morn rose brightly,
Followed by noontide calm: a little while
Since sunset glory lit all Nature, lightly
Blessing the earth with one sweet parting smile.

Only "a little while" a meet type, showing
How brief is earth's short day--how soon 'tis o'er;
Morn, noon, and night, still onward, onward going,
So soon to land us on the eternal shore.

Only "a little while," poor child of sadness!
The shadows must come first, the clouds and gloom;
Then, the full glow of Heaven, the new born gladness,
When Christ, thy risen Lord, prepares thee room.

In that fair Home, where He has passed before us,
And in "a little while," shall call us in;
Here, with His love's own glory shining o'er us,
Strong in His strength, we run that goal to win!

Only "a little while," gay child of pleasure!
The night is spent so far--the morn is near;
Then think! oh, think! where hast thou hid thy treasure?
In these frail, dying toys that charm thee here.

Oh! in "a little while," their borrowed radiance
Shall fade, as starlight fades when dawn is nigh;
And all earth's glittering show, her smiles and fragrance,