Classic Poem

What is there in life, when the visions of hope
Like ice in the sun are faded —
And the heart, unfit with the world to cope,
Is oft by the world degraded?

Child of the dust! the heartfelt tear
May cleanse that sinful shrine,
And over the drops of holy fear,
The rainbow of hope may shine.

What have we in life? when doomed to mourn
That youth was ever believing —
When o'er the living as o'er the cold urn,
We grieve that earth is deceiving?

Child of the earth! there's one above
Who heals the mourner's grief —
Forget the sorrows of mortal love,
And seek at his hand relief.

The spring that waters the desert of life
Flows bitter with death and sorrow;
And the flowers to-day with fragrance rife,
Lie blighted and low to-morrow!

Child of the skies! oh lift thine eye,
To the land beyond the tomb —
Where springs the fount of eternity —
And the flowers of Eden bloom.