Lo! the parting distance groweth,
And the river deeper floweth,
And the sky no signal showeth
All is dark and drear;
Without oar or pilot floating—
Fearful is such lonely boating,
Where, unseen, the ear is noting
Mighty depths a-near!
Hark! I hear the river's pouring,
Mingling with the ocean's roaring—
God! I lift to Thee imploring
My benighted heart;
Be thou with me on life's river,
Guide me to the great Forever—
Light, and Help, and Glory ever,
Thou my Pharos art!
A LETTER.
I look upon the young moon in the sky,
And my thoughts image thee! Have you forgot
That which I told you in the sweet "lang syne,"
When I was young enough to dream of faith
Kept for a lifetime sacred? Hollow dream!
Ah, then I told you on a happy hour,
On a night like to this, that while the moon
Brightened and darkened to my living eyes,
There was one image should rise when it rose,
Shine as it shone, and should set darkly never!
That was my heart's first vow. My lips had breathed
