Felicia Hemans

“ Far 'midst old mountains, and solemn woods.
So are we roused on this chequer'd earth,
Each unto life hath a daily birth,
Tho' fearful or joyous, tho' sad or sweet,
Be the voices which first our upspringing meet. ”

“ Yields up life's treasures unto Him who gave?
When Martyrs, all things for His sake resigning,
Lead on the march of death, serenely brave?
Dreams!—but a deeper thought our souls may fill,
One, one is near—a Spirit, holier still! ”

“ Yet is not life, in its real flight,
Mark'd thus—even thus—on earth,
By the closing of one hope's delight,
And another's gentle birth?
Oh! let us live, so that flower by flower,
Shutting in turn, may leave
A lingerer still for the sun-set hour,
A charm for the shaded eve.
↑ * This dial was, I believe, formed by Linnæus, and marked the hours by the opening and closing, at regular intervals, of the flowers arranged in it. ”