Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-04-10
NO. 81.
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
COMMUNICATED.
APRIL.

Smiling g-trowning--changiu Aprl-now in sun
| shne-noW in show'rs,
Strange that-to thy tickle nursing, Spring should
trust her fruits and iow'rs!
Doubtless frowns aud smiles called for,-like-
| We can trace, ....
To the ruling childhood needeth-tears and smiles
upon its face; ". s.~..
Winter stern stands by, unWilling-all his power
yet to yield,
And with gentle Spring, is striving still his scep
ire chill to weld.
Thus, old age doth sometimes wither-!by ill judg-
ing youthful smiles,
Thinking childhoods heart to MEASURE by its own,
which naught beguile,.
Let the children laugh and prattle-ifs is full Of
SorroW-change-
Ard before they've done lifes battle joyous laugh
ter may sound strsnge
For this shifting, changeful April life ITSELF doth
sure portruy,
When we think the sunshine on us-in its power
long to stay, H..
Shadows, like the April shadows-come and chase
it all away
Mighty mpssts-ruthless-c the
tiniest storm cloud grow
SO bereavement unexpected-o'er our lives pail
may throw;
But to change We are accustomed, and in time
must count on it,
Time we know IS ever fying-faster than the sha-
dows fit.
Rising DER yon lofty mountain, came dazzling
snowy cloud,
Sailing on with grace majestic, distance soon, its
light did shroud,
And the azure sky unheeding still in lovely calm
ness smiled,
As though it knew the law of change had borne
away its Sunlit child.
Gently through the fresh'ning meadow, steals the
brook from ice unbound.
Does it to the passing breezeS, echo regretful
sound
No-itS murm ring is as joyous, 81 it ever was of
yore,
And with smiles of limpid sweetness, doth it wan
d'ring sunbeams lure; "....
What Of change, or of "the changeless," does the
reckless streamlet knoW2
Where are all the last years flowers, which did
here their beauty shoW7
All their fragrance is forgotten-for tbom now it
never grevcs,
Though along its banks Of yerdure, lie their with
cred leaves.
THUS should man then nature copy-shs the
changeful past torgets--
But the faithful beart must ever, cherish many
fond regrets;
Sacred mem 'ries Of lost loved ones, steal Ger
in twilight dreams,
Till the past--torever yGnished-almost like the
present seems,
Only those who wait reunion, in q land OF peace
and rest,
Only those who hold communion, holy high, are
truly blest.
Speed on April-ever changing-muse thy fruits,
and fan thy flowers
Soon thou wilt be called to yield them, to refresh
and grace Mays bowers,
She will offer all thy treasures, to the joyous, to
the gay,
And thy low'rets shall be wreatbed, to deck out
the queen of May;
Thine the mission all accomplish, shifting, chang
ing is each scene,
Other feet must mark the pathways, where our
weary steps have been,
Other smiles will light the honestead-other hands
~-~.--, the flowers tend, .-...'..
At ultars in devotion, other forms shall meek
ly bend.
But It's vol, and we repine not, wisdom thus hath
it ordained,
And that word of pow'r is pledged, which hath
always firm remained
Blessed peace and joy await US, in that home Of
res! above;
There no time or change can enter, naught shall
sever hearts that love.
Boutc,nrt county, Va. NJ. H. NJ.