The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-02-21
The CLARION.
THEvIOLET's MISSION.

THEYIOLET's MISSION.
Far down within the garden shade,
Refreshed by evening dew,
And famed by breath of blushing rose,
Within whose bosomhbees rePose,
And all its neotared sweets disclose,
modest violet grew.
II drank the raindrops, kissed the light
That fell 80 softly down,
From skies of blue far overhead,
Upon its soft and messy bed,
And DER its petals gently shed
A light and radiant crown.
"The rose is bright the lily fair
But l." the violet sighed,
"Alone, unloVed. I'm doomed to fade
Within the gloomy garden shade,
In simple homeliness arrayed,
With every charm denied.
but others have, why may not !.
Some humble work fulfill?
The Father made me weak and small,
And beautiful still less than all,
Nor graceful, bright, nor grandly tall,
To do His holy will.
"Tho' mine silent mission be
In this grand, glorious earth,
And echoing song mayhever tell
The lasting work which fulfill,
Nor G. en- the sorrows dispel,
God knows its simple worth.
"The sunshine's kiss falls just as soft
Upon my lowly bed
As eer it fell on queonly rose
And life, and light, and sweet reposc,
Makes me as glad as aught that grows
Then why should be sadp"
Thus spake the modest Aoweret low,
Within the garden shade.
Was it the whispering winds that bore
4 The scarce-breathed words DER field AM
moorY
Then ne'er again, wee flower, deplore
That thou vast ever made
For from the wealth and grand array
OF flowers, glowing, bright,
A voice was heard, q hand was laid
Upon the violet's messy bed;
1t slowly dropped lis trembling head,
As Ito hide from sight.
With gentle care the turf was raised
On which the violet grew,
Half frightened, soon in glad surprise,
1t wondering Opsd its timid eyes,
And saw, in fancy, forms arise,
More fair than 1t had knew.
From lordly halls 10 princeiy rooms
Where flowers bloom and fall,
Whose subtle orders babe the air,
When pictures, sunny, bright and fair,
And costly hangiugs, rich and rare,
Are draped upon the wall.
Into room--the violet thought
A calm and sweet release,
At length twas borne, when shaded gloo
Enwrapped each nook, and faint perfume
Stole out, and blended in the loom
To weave web of peace.
But Death with sweeping scythe stood nea
To gather in his power
Youths wasted form and pallid face
Whose lingering light still bore the trace
Ofhope, which naught can e'cr efface;
Not cen Deaths chilly hour,
A CLEAN of JOY broke DER the face
So mournful, Of the child.
A happy smile, AZ ripping light,
Transformed his features at the sight
OF the wee howreps face SO bright,
So bright and yet so mild.
With outstretched hand he grasped the Sc
And laid upon his face
But ali his soul had left its clay
Had flown to realms ofendless day,
Where brighter flowers may cheer his wa
And wrap his soul in peace
Omodest bearer Of a JOY
Our hearts can never tell,
Full well your mission you have done;
Full well the frail race you have run,
But better far the life you've won,
DO nobly, grandly well
Then say not more "alone, mlovcd,"
Is still your destined way,
But may our lives in beauty close,
As free from sin and sorrows woes,
As yours--in peaceful, sweet reposc,
As well be lived our day
II. /