That Love which cheered us on earth's chequered way,
O'er the long path that led to Cloudless Day!




CLOUDS IN MAY.


"May is here, sweet 'Mois de Marie,' but my sky is
overcast!"--ST. GERMAN.

The hush of twilight, fair and still
Great cloud-ranks, bright with gorgeous dyes
That linger in the Western skies,
Ere Night's deep gloom steals o'er the hill.
The wind sighs softly round the eaves,
The May's fresh sweetness fills the air,
And Peace seems hovering everywhere.
Oh, restless heart, that aches and grieves!--
Grieves when the earth is bright and green,
And Summer's balmy breeze and flowers
Are brightening, charming all the hours
That span the long, long "bridge between"
Dear hopes and their fruition, laid
In many a way, by human plan.
But ah! these dream-world thoughts of man
Soon, soon can droop, and blight and fade!

We know 'tis best. Then wherefore try