POEMS.
121
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS.
'Tis beautiful by woodland green
To watch the dancing sunbeams play,
The drooping willow leaves between;
While motionless on summer day,
Amid the rays that round them gleam,
The shadows sleep upon the stream.
To watch the dancing sunbeams play,
The drooping willow leaves between;
While motionless on summer day,
Amid the rays that round them gleam,
The shadows sleep upon the stream.
Oh! closely, wheresoe'er they be,
Those lights and shades are still entwined;
For when the sunbeam's glance we see,
The shadow stealeth on behind,
And with its sombre hue doth lend
More beauty to its golden friend.
Those lights and shades are still entwined;
For when the sunbeam's glance we see,
The shadow stealeth on behind,
And with its sombre hue doth lend
More beauty to its golden friend.
So is it with life's changing scene;
Its present joy doth oft efface
The memory of what hath been,
Tho' on each care-worn brow the trace
Of sorrow's iron-hand may be
Written, alas! how legibly!
Its present joy doth oft efface
The memory of what hath been,
Tho' on each care-worn brow the trace
Of sorrow's iron-hand may be
Written, alas! how legibly!
