When thy sweet wreath my heart entwined.
And balmy fragrance shed.
Amongst thy blossoms, pelting storms

Sad ravages have made;
And sorrows still in varied forms

My couch of rest invade.
On some, kind Providence has shone

With many a pleasing ray;
Yet life at best, all freely own,

Is like an April day.
'Tis mixed with sunshine and with showers.
And quickly, quickly flies;
And 'mongst its loveliest, sweetest flowers,

Some worm insidious lies.
90

But I will look beyond this sceno

To that divine abode,
Where no dark cloud can intervene

To hide the smile of God.
may I meet in that fair clime

The friends I dearly love,
And bow before the throne sublime

Of Him who reigns above.
There tears of grief are wiped away.
And no fond hearts will sever ;

But heaven's bright sun pour endless day.
And friendship bloom for ever.
'Ea a ILaig on \}zt Birtljtias.
11th June, 1861.
Lady ! I wish you sweet returns

Of this your natal da}',
And richer joj's and brighter scenes

Thau poets can portray :

The joys of perfect purity,

The joys of perfect love.
And scenes of radiant beauty

In fairer worlds above.
91

How sweet the marriage union,
How strong the marriage tie,

When hallowed by religion,
And hopes beyond the sky.
But ! what language can express,

Or tongue of angel tell,
" The vast, mysterious happiness,''

Where sainted spirits dwell.
Surrounded by a sea of light.
The city in the skies,
Methinks I see its turrets bright

In peerless grandeur rise.
Its walls are built of precious stones.
Most dazzling to behold;
Its watchers are the holy ones.
Its streets are paved with gold.
