192

LYRICS OF THE

II.

Time was, a wonder lived nine days,
And sorry talents grew to fame;

But now, one minute's curious gaze
Is all we give to note or name:
Glutted with news of all things strange,
We scarcely care to watch the turns

Our quick kaleidoscope of Change

Is working in the world's concerns.

III.

The foaming river of events

Rushes adown its rocky steep,

And causes, facts, and consequents
Are hurl'd together in a heap,

And keen Excitement's rainbow light

Hangs iridescent o'er the fall

Of waters rushing in their might,

Solemnly overwhelming all,

IV.

Ay,-a Niagara-life is ours!

No rest, but ever hurried on

By the great deep's gigantic powers,
By the strong wind Euroclydon,--
Yea, by the mighty flood of fate,

Yea, by the gale of human crimes
We speed along, as if "too late "

Were the great terror of the times.

V.

The lotus-eaters all are dead;

There is no nook for quiet thought;

The halcyon birds of peace are fled,

And calm contentments come to nought;

Spur on,-spur on! our steeds are strong,

No need to spare them in the pace;

With reckless energy headlong

We all resolve to win the race.

VI.

O day of hot competing strife!

O crowded scene of struggling sin!

What chance of any prize in life

Has any tyro battling in?

The rarest worth wins little gold;

Wisdom has barely wit to live;

What chance, compared with calms of old, Does all our hurly-burly give?

VII.

What chance?-my counsel is, keep still;

They do not drown who lie afloat,

And quietness sets free the will

To pilot well the crankest boat;

And, he that stands aloof from strife,

Calmly resolved to thread the maze,

Shall quell to his Success in life

The riot of these rapid days.

An Aspiration.

O THAT I had a pastor near my home

Honest and earnest, wise and good and kind,

A man of gracious heart and vigorous mind, Untainted by the pestilence of Rome:

How gladly would I recognise in such

The guide, the brother, and the priest combined; With hearty help, albeit perchance not much, Standing beside him, strengthening his hands,--While he, uniting all men by the bands

Of Christian fellowship and social love, Himself should illustrate what God commands,

Lift up our hearts to fix their hopes above,

And as the minister of Heaven be found

The honour'd friend of every neighbour round!