X. THE OASES THINK not that I am hapless, ye who read Is not to prove it hath nor herbs nor flowers. Of Fortune's ladder, that no oases Cheering the weary pilgrims as they go Not all the fires that Terra's breast consume, Can kill these emerald spots that mid my heart-waste bloom. XI. JOYS OF INTELLECTUAL EMPLOYMENT. 'Tis true I'm poor in what the world calls bliss ; 'Tis true I have known many wounds of pride, With which a weaker nature would have died. 'Tis true I've passed Charybdis in distress, Yet mid the maelstrom thrilled with happiness. We should not murmur 'gainst an earthly trialIt throws a stronger sunlight on life's dial, Awakes the spirit in its chrysalis, And plumes it to the broad, bright heavens to soar. O God! if I could sing the bliss I've known, While sitting in this study-room alone, Listing the soul-waves wash the eternal shore; If I could ring it out in one loud song, "Twould shake the throne of grief and banish wrong XII. HEART JOYS. THE disappointments that did drape my youth, All have not banished from my bosom hope, And still hath faith in truth, and love, and happiness. XIII. TO POESY. I. THE earth, the sea, the air, are full of thee— The Angels thy entrancing spells obey, Thou art the holiest gift of Deity- The High-Priest of the heart, that soothing e'er And giv❜st a voice to all its sacred feeling. Thou dwellest with the humble, sad, and lone, XIV. TO POESY. II. How could I live without thee! Unto whom, In melancholy moments, could I fly, To breathe or thought, or wish, or hope, or sigh, That hovers o'er my heart, as o'er a tomb! Who could allure me from the embrace of Sorrow, My spirit cheer with visions of to-morrow, But thou? Who dwell with me mid bud and bloon; If thou shouldst leave me-blest-inspiring Poesy? |