Never give up! there are chances and changes Is the true watchword of Never give up! Never give up!-though the grape-shot may rattle, Providence wisely has mingled the cup, THE SUN. BLAME not, ye million worshippers of gold- Knelt to the sun, outpouring prayer and praise As to God's central throne; for when the blaze Of that grand eye is on me, and I stand Watching its majesty with painful gaze, I too could kneel among that Persian band, Had not the Architect of yon bright sphere Taught me Himself; bidding me look above, Beneath, around, and still to find Him-here! King of the heart, dwelling in no fixt globe, But gladly thron'd within the spirit of love, Wearing that light ethereal as a robe. THE MOON. I KNOW thee not, O moon, -thou caverned realm, Where cold, alternate, and the sulphurous breath Of ravaging volcanoes, overwhelm All chance of life like ours,-art thou not Some fallow world, after a reaping time Of creatures' judgment, resting in thy lot? Or haplier must I take thee for the blot On God's fair firmament, the home of crime, The prison-house of sin, where damned souls Feed upon punishment ?-O thought sublime, That, amid Night's black deeds, when evil prowls Through the broad world, then, watching sinners well, Glares over all the wakeful eye of-Hell! THE STARS. I. FAR-flaming stars, ye sentinels of Space, A captive eagle chain'd to this dull ground, Where I shall reign when this short race is run, An heir of joy, and glory's mighty son! Yet, while I hope, the fear will freeze my brainWhat if indeed for worthless me remain No waiting sceptre, no predestined throne? THE STARS. II. HENCE, doubts of darkness! I am not mine own, And claim through Him that sceptre and that thron e In seeming idleness,—I gaze on thee, Whence my celestial form at will may roam |