The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-10
Original PSF. rn.
IIAPPIN ESS.

-
HAPPINESS.
BY. DIR. c. N. HicKoK.
I've found the gem, Il joyous cried,
AS earthly happiness tred)
See here alone
'ris found But, ere voice replied,
'Twas gone.
sought it still Jim Fashions maze,
The phantom ckas'd with eager gaze,
Where'ei Il led.
grasp'd it; but, its treach'rous blaze
Had fed.
In Friendship, the jewel sought,
And to her shrine my off f'ring brought
OF heart sincere.
a broken reed it for me wrought
A tear.
On Loves fair bosom then lean'd,
And in my slumber, fondly dream'd
Of sorrow fed.
My treasure, when the morning beam'd,
Was dead.
then in Learning's mystic train
Pursued my search, but sought in vain
H Ell feeble light
Served but to render doubly plain,
The night.
Unsated still, my spirit burn'd;
To Bacchus' boasted fount turned,
To lave it there.
But fou..d (with every longing spuru'd)
Despair.
next, Ambitions path pursued;
And stroye, where Fame's fair temple stood,
To win the goal;
But flfd with tTeach'ry, crime and blood,
My soul.
| compass'd Nature, far and hear;
On mountain wild, IN desert drear.
Mid polar SHOWS, on burning sands,
And charming scenes of fairy lands -
Travers'd the trackless ocean o'er,
Stood on Itaia's classic shore,-
On isles. where birds in plumage gay,
Sport mid the trees, the livelong day;-
In mines Of gems, on coral strands;-
Where pearls lie hid, in golden sands
WANDERED mid ruin'd piles, and read
The records OF the mighty dead:
Drank at the we'll of Science knelt
At Beauty's shrine; with Power dwelt:
With Reasons torch, on Fancy's wing,
Flew to the utmost echoing
OF sschiming spheres,'' and raptur'd, heard
The music of the seraph world:-
Scann'd the whole realm, earth, sea and sky
Div'd to the deepest mystery;
OuaR,d avarv cup hat UeaIth could huv
In hope to find
Soms precious gem, to satisfy
The mind.
Twas all in vain Each sour that rass'd
More darkly lower'd than the last;
AND over all
My longings, Disappointment cast
Her pail.
Oh! where can peace be found j? | cried,
For it, I'D give all else beside
Bear shame and loss.
'ris with "a s.stil small voice" replied)
The cross.
Ahi there found it, and though years,have flown
And with them, borne earth's hopes, and joys away
II still remains. Friends all gone, lov'd ones
Have pass'd away, and not one heart is left,
To beat in ubison with mine. Wealth too
Has taken wings, and DISAPPEARED; and now
A lone old man, wther'd, and bent, and worn
With want and suffering, hapess bear
A pauper's fate. The proud pass by in scorn,
And loathing shun the wayside beggar's rags.
The good look on in pity, and bestow
Their charity, but little do they know,
How blessed am :-Ahl little do they dream
What founts of joy spring up within my heart
They little think, that more than all their wealth
Gould buy, is mine-l'm richer than they all.
My mansion, lies far out OF mortal sight;
Ny treasures, are where thief can never steal,
Nor moth corrupt. My joys, this feeting world
Can neither give nor take away. have
No fear ; all, all is safe, within the hands
Of HIM, who doth all well. | have care;
For all my care, is sweetly cast, on HIM
Who careth fol- me. hunger not for when
My scanty crust is gone, my faith looks up,
And am fed with angels food. And when
At night, lay me down, upon the cold,
Damp ground, or, in some broken shed seek
For rest, the curtains of HIS love, are drawn
Around me, and my soul is warm, fol in
My heart is kindled up, a ray of Heaven.
And when few more days have flown,
T And the last ling'ring sand is gone,
He will be nigh;
How blessed then, to lay me down
And die.