A Song Before Grief.

Sorrow, my friend,     When shall you come again?     The wind is slow, and the bent willows send     Their silvery motions wearily down the plain.     The bird is dead     That sang this morning through the summer rain!     Sorrow, my friend,     I owe my soul to you.     And if my life with any glory end     Of tenderness for others, and the words are true,     Said, honoring, when I'm dead, -     Sorrow, to you, the mellow praise, the funeral     wreath, are due.     And yet, my friend,     When love and joy are strong,     Your terrible visage from my sight I rend     With glances to blue heaven. Hovering along,     By mine your shadow led,     "Away!" I shriek, "nor dare to work my new-sprung mercies wrong!"     Still, you are near:     Who can your care withstand?     When deep eternity shall look most clear,     Sending bright waves to kiss the trembling land,     My joy shall disappear, -     A flaming torch thrown to the golden sea by your pale hand.