A Lyric of Life

Said one to me: "I seem to beLike a bird blown out to sea,In the hurricane's wild track—Lost, wing-weary, beating backVainly toward a fading shore,It shall rest on nevermore."

Said I: "Betide, some good ships ride,Over all the waters wide;Spread your wings upon the blast,Let it bear you far and fast—In some sea serene and blue,Succor-ships are waiting you."

This soul then said: "Would I were dead,Billows rolling o'er my head;Those that sail the ships will castStorm-waifs back into the blast;Omens evil will they callWhat the hurricane lets fall."

For my reply: "Beneath the skyCountless isles of beauty lie:Waifs upon the ocean thrown,After tossings long and lone,To those blessed shores have come,Finding there love, heaven, and home."

This soul to me: "The seething sea,Tossing hungry under me,I fear to trust; the ships I fear;I see no isle of beauty near;The sun is blotted out—no more'Twill shine for me on any shore."

Once more I said: "Be not afraid;Yield to the storm without a dread;For the tree, by tempests tornFrom its native soil, is borneGreen, to where its ripened fruitGives a sturdy forest root.

"That which we lose, we think we choose,Oft, from slavery to use.Shocks that break our chains, tho' rude,Open paths to highest good:Wise, my sister soul, is sheWho takes of life the proffered key."