Classic Poem

I .

The paths of life are rudely laid
Beneath the blaze of burning skies;
Level and cool, in cloistered shade,
The church's pavement lies.
Along the sunless forest glade
Its gnarled roots are coiled like crime,
Where glows the grass with freshening blade,
Thine eyes may track the serpent slime;
But there thy steps are unbetrayed,
The serpent waits a surer time.

II .

The fires of earth are fiercely blent,
Its suns arise with scorching glow;
The church's light hath soft descent,
And hues like God's own bow.
The brows of men are darkly bent,
Their lips are wreathed with scorn and guile;
But pure, and pale, and innocent
The looks that light the marble aisle —
From angel eyes, in love intent,
And lips of everlasting smile.

III .

Lady, the fields of earth are wide,
And tempt an infant's foot to stray:
Oh! lead thy loved one's steps aside,
Where the white altar lights his way.
Around his path shall glance and glide,
A thousand shadows false and wild;
Oh! lead him to that surer Guide,
Than sire, serene, or mother mild,
Whose childhood quelled the age of pride,
Whose Godhead called the little child.

IV .

So when thy breast of love untold,
That warmed his sleep of infancy,
Shall only make the marble cold,
Beneath his aged knee;
From its steep throne of heavenly gold
Thy soul shall stoop to see
His grief, that cannot be controlled,
Turning to God from thee —
Cleaving with prayer the cloudy fold,
That veils the sanctuary.