Classic Poem

We looked when wintry winds should sweep,
For bright blue skies and clear keen air,
That should all life in motion keep,
Make glad the soul to its lowest deep;
Should bid all faces a lustre wear,
Give nerve to climb the slippery steep,
Or over the smooth ice firm and strong,
With glee and shouting to course along.

But dull gray clouds for days have spread
O'er the wide arching heaven; and earth.
Hath lost its smile, its glow hath fled,
As if no sun were high o'er head;
And hearts are heavy, and joy and mirth
Are half suppressed, or wholly dead:
Life hath put on a sombre hue,
And eyes look drooping and words are few.

So nicely are our spirits strung
Responsive to each sound or sight;
The plaintive wail by the wild wind sung,
The leaden look of the sky o'erhung
With vapors that darken the day's pure light,
Bring sadness, like cypress shadows flung
Darkly athwart our path, till slow
And solemn the tread, as we come and go.

Break forth, bright ever shining sun!
These brooding earth-born mists dispel;
In the blue serene thy circuit run,
Pouring thy splendor till day is done—
Till with glad thoughts our bosoms swell,
And all life seems as if fresh begun:
Full of vigor and hope and power,
Crowding with deeds each joyous hour.

Oh for that fairer clime where flow
Eternal days of health and gladness!
Where never a howling wind shall blow,
Nor cloud the gloom of its shadows throw,
To tinge the immortal life with sadness;
No dreary moments that life shall know,
For while the unending cycles fill,
The UNVEILED THRONE shall be cloudless still!