THE EMPTY LIBRARY.
OFT vacant shelves have mem'ries sweet
Of wisdom's golden grains divine;
The dream of learning's much loved feast
Throughout my waking thoughts will shine.
Of wisdom's golden grains divine;
The dream of learning's much loved feast
Throughout my waking thoughts will shine.
I sigh o'er vanished "Tomes," whose page
My youthful heart did quickly gain.—
Oh! cruel hands that bore thee hence,
I would your labour had been vain'!
My youthful heart did quickly gain.—
Oh! cruel hands that bore thee hence,
I would your labour had been vain'!
Vacant shelves, thy mem'ries dear,
Of offerings to wisdom bright,—
As the diamond's glittering beam,
Doth shine to me thy guiding light.
Of offerings to wisdom bright,—
As the diamond's glittering beam,
Doth shine to me thy guiding light.
Can I forgive the grasping hands
Who bore my mental feast away—
Though scant the knowledge that I own,
And craving would own more—I pray!
Who bore my mental feast away—
Though scant the knowledge that I own,
And craving would own more—I pray!
Ye vacant shelves, alas! with joy
Can I survey thy ranks no more!—
Oh! would that I might fairly claim
The varied burden that ye bore.
Can I survey thy ranks no more!—
Oh! would that I might fairly claim
The varied burden that ye bore.
Scholar—Dame Fortune's wheel hath thrown
In wild and wanton chance to ye
In wisdom's golden path the gates,—
Oh! give thy cherish'd "Tomes" to me!
In wild and wanton chance to ye
In wisdom's golden path the gates,—
Oh! give thy cherish'd "Tomes" to me!