LIFE'S SIMILES.
O! Life should be like some sweet dream—
Thoughts, words, and deeds should flow,
As wave meets wave on some clear stream
Whose surface shows no rocks below.
Thoughts, words, and deeds should flow,
As wave meets wave on some clear stream
Whose surface shows no rocks below.
O! Life should be like some fair flower—
Whose sweet breath cheers the saddened heart,
Whose welcome fragrance hath the power
To soothe our griefs, and hope impart.
Whose sweet breath cheers the saddened heart,
Whose welcome fragrance hath the power
To soothe our griefs, and hope impart.
O! Life should be like some song-bird,
That loves to greet us with its lay;
That asks but only to be heard
While singing gayly on his way.
That loves to greet us with its lay;
That asks but only to be heard
While singing gayly on his way.
O! Life should be like some bright rill,
That waters deserts, else how drear;
Whose verdant margin shows it still
Hath ceaseless flowed the scene to cheer.
That waters deserts, else how drear;
Whose verdant margin shows it still
Hath ceaseless flowed the scene to cheer.
O! Life should be like some fixed star,
That shines not with a wavering light;
But points the wayworn traveller far
Beyond the gloom of this world's night.
That shines not with a wavering light;
But points the wayworn traveller far
Beyond the gloom of this world's night.
Since Life should be like dream, flower, rill,
Like song-bird and like fixed star;
Let each his holy task fulfil,
And human hearts shall wear no scar.
Like song-bird and like fixed star;
Let each his holy task fulfil,
And human hearts shall wear no scar.
Then be our daily life like this—
And Death will but a friend appear;
A white-robed messenger of bliss,
To bear us to a brighter sphere.
And Death will but a friend appear;
A white-robed messenger of bliss,
To bear us to a brighter sphere.