I can sing of widow's tears, I can sing with ready words November 4, 1859. Flows from the mind a stream of thought, Ah whither is it flowing, By space like vapour is it caught, Who can trace back the earliest wave, Or say what force its impulse gave, That stream of thought no barriers stay, Through every moment of the day, Unintermittent, speeding. No sound its gentle course betrays, Through other spheres its tide shall run Far, far, away beyond the sun, November 11, 1859. When I see a pretty face All the characters I trace Which are stamped upon it. Is it marked with pride and scorn Or with passion is it worn, Sad, I see its beauty marred, Faultless though the moulding, Nor would I the prize award, On another then I look Of a gentler meaning, Features open as a book, No artifice screening. Humour, wit, a polished mind, That index revealing, And a heart both good and kind, Pity mingling with the rest December 17, 1859. MAN IMMORTAL-A FEW PROOFS. By his praising, by his praying, By the thoughts which he is thinking, By his suffering, by his sorrow, By his sinning, and repenting, By the truth which he is telling, By the flight which he is taking, In a moment soaring yonder, There to meditate and wonder. Higher, higher, higher, mounting, Planets, stars, by thousands counting, Up to light's eternal fountain. Dying man this truth attesteth, Immortality he teaches, When his voice in quiet speeches, December 11, 1859. THE MISER. Thy riches tell till nature faint, Behold the features of the man, In chamber lit with feeble lamp In chamber comfortless and damp |