(Original.) A THOUGHT ON REV. XXI. 1. A. R. C. "AND there was no more sea. Ay, is it so? Boast no grand ocean with its mighty flow- How I have loved to watch the heaving brine! To each fair landscape of this glorious earth, In the redeem'd inheritance of saints, Where these dim scenes ne'er "come upon the heart," 'Mid all the glories hallow'd fancy paints, Shalt thou, grand ocean, bear no more a part? No! thou'rt a type of restlessness and change- Telling that mortals skim life's changeful range, Thou art the type of fierce and angry strife— Picture of the tempestuous throes of life— Thou art the bar, impassable and wide, Dividing hearts that with leal thoughts throb high, Fresh though thy billows be, thou art a grave— I am content there shall be no more sea! The love of sinless bosoms ebbs no more- THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS. PROFESSOR LONGFELLOW. THERE is a Reaper whose name is Death, He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, "Shall I have nought that is fair ?" saith he"Have nought but the bearded grain? Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me, I will give them all back again." He gazed at the flowers with tearful eyes, He kiss'd their drooping leaves; It was for the Lord of Paradise 66 He bound them in his sheaves. My Lord has need of these flowerets gay," The Reaper said, and smiled; "Dear tokens of the earth are they, 66 Where He was once a child. They shall all bloom in fields of light, Transplanted by my care; And saints upon their garments white, These sacred blossoms wear." And the mother gave, in tears and pain, The flowers she most did love : She knew she should find them all again In the fields of light above. Oh! not in cruelty, not in wrath, And took the flowers away. THE RHODODENDRON. "MORAL OF FLOWERS." GEM of the Alps! 'tis strange to trace Aught beautiful as thou, Gladdening "the solitary place" With unexpected glow. Yet, bright one! cold thy bed must be, Would thou wert planted in the bower Oh, tell me not of valley fair, Where sweeter flowerets bloom; |