Yet some, who all this while did weep and sing,
And sing and weep, soared up into the ring;
But most would use no wing.

O fools-said I-thus to prefer dark night
Before true light!

To live in grots and caves, and hate the day
Because it shows the way;

The way, which from this dead and dark abode
Leads up to God;

A way where you might tread the sun, and be
More bright then he!

But as I did their madness so discuss,

One whispered thus,

"This ring the Bride-groom did for none provide,

But for His Bride."

Henry Vaughan [1622-1695]

THE WHITE ISLAND

In this world, the Isle of Dreams,
While we sit by sorrow's streams,
Tears and terror are our themes
Reciting:

But when once from hence we fly,
More and more approaching nigh
Unto young Eternity

Uniting:

In that whiter island, where
Things are evermore sincere;
Candor here, and luster there
Delighting:

There no monstrous fancies shall

Out of Hell an horror call,

To create (or cause at all)
Affrighting.

THIS world is all a fleeting show,

For man's illusion given;

The smiles of joy, the tears of woe,
Deceitful shine, deceitful flow,-

There's nothing true but Heaven!

And false the light on glory's plume,
As fading hues of even;

And love, and hope, and beauty's bloom
Are blossoms gathered for the tomb,—

There's nothing bright but Heaven!

Poor wanderers of a stormy day,
From wave to wave we're driven,

And fancy's flash and reason's ray

Serve but to light the troubled way,—
There's nothing calm but Heaven!

Thomas Moore [1779-1852]

THE LAND O' THE LEAL

I'm wearin' awa', John,

Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, John.

I'm wearin' awa'

To the land o' the leal.

'There's nae sorrow there, John, There's neither cauld nor care, John, 'The day is aye fair

In the land o' the leal.

Our bonnie bairn's there, John,
She was baith gude and fair, John;
And O! we grudged her sair

To the land o' the leal.

But sorrow's sel' wears past, John,
And joy's a-comin' fast, John,

The joy that's aye to last

In the land o' the leal.

Sae dear's that joy was bought, John,
Sae free the battle fought, John,
That sinfu' man e'er brought
To the land o' the leal.
O, dry your glistening e'e, John!
My saul langs to be free, John,
And angels beckon me

To the land o' the leal.

O, haud ye leal and true, John!
Your day it's wearin' through, John,
And I'll welcome you

To the land o' the leal.

Now fare-ye-weel, my ain John,

This warld's cares are vain, John,

We'll meet, and we'll be fain,

In the land o' the leal.

Carolina Nairne [1766-1845]

HEAVENWARD

WOULD you be young again?

So would not I

One tear to memory given,

Onward I'd hie.

Does not the vision say,
Faint lingering heart, away,
Why in this desert stay-
Dark land of care!

Where souls angelic soar,
Thither repair:

Let this vain world no more
Lull and ensnare.

That heaven I love so well
Still in my heart shall dwell;
All things around me tell

Rest is found there.

Carolina Nairne [1766-1845]

AT HOME IN HEAVEN

PART I

"FOR EVER with the Lord!"

Amen! so let it be!

Life from the dead is in that word,

'Tis immortality.

Here in the body pent,

Absent from Him I roam,

Yet nightly pitch my moving tent
A day's march nearer home.

My Father's house on high,
Home of my soul! how near,
At times, to faith's foreseeing eye,
Thy golden gates appear!

Ah! then my spirit faints

To reach the land I love,

The bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above!

Yet clouds will intervene,

And all my prospect flies; Like Noah's dove, I flit between Rough seas and stormy skies.