The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-17
HOME AND FARM.
TOR The CLARION.
THE TWO CROWNS.

Above the cradle where an infant lay,
Whose tender feet upon the unknown way
Of life have newly stePt, there softly bend
Two forms! whose robes OF light and darkne'
Iu harmony 50 perfect that the eye bleH
j. Iazzisd not, nor dimmed, as they pass by.
From realms above, on nOiseless piniOn down
They came each bearing in her hand crOwn-
one turc the crown Of joy, with jewels bright,
Outriyaliug the starry gems Of night
And one. the crown Uf sorrow, covered Ger
With rb0u-hue OF midnight darkness, bore.
Zach placed her crown upon the babys head;
The hand uf each, in banedictiOn spread,
Called down q blessing, the shining bow
When drops OF rain through rays oisunlight show
In quick sucrcssion, joys and sorrows pass,
As tire-lie' dart at evening through the grass;
Scarce does the happy laugh or joyous shout
FROM busy play ground on the air ring out
Until tie quivering lip and molstened eye
OF sgrrOw tell, and ere thetear is dry
The happy heart Of childhood smiles again,
Bright as the sunshine after showers Of rain.
Thus the fast dying hours pass away
Till time has u~hered in young manhOOds day.
And now he prays the angel that the crown
OF -1rrOw De removed; all woe to drown
Within the cup Of pleasure; and 'tis DONE
No clouds obscure the brightness Of his sun.
y, enemies pursue him, friends are true,
And h.ushiBg love, like pearly drops Of dew
a early morning strseter fragrance lends
To the sweet flowers that meath his footsteps bend,
His heart is light; and with averted eye
The begyar in his rags he passes by
His wants supplied, he heedeth not the prayer
Of helpless age, or wrinkled brow Of care
Absorbed in self he lives for self alone,
Nor any sympathy with tear or groan
OF sorrow hath he, till upon his head
Is placed again the crown Of woe, O'erspread
With darkness.
Now. the crown OF joy removed,
Are swept from out his path the friends who loved
Riches have taken wings and flown away"
AMI in slow procession, day by day,
Love, wealth. and happiness, pass from his sight
And seem forever veled in starless night.
OF sorrows crown he bends beneath the weight,
AMI his sai heart that once, with joy elate,
Beat quickly, now within the dust is bowed.
He sees silver lining to the cloud
That frowns in gloom above him, and in wrath
The arTowed lightHings play around his path.
Too heavy is the crown Of grief; alone,
It turns the best and warmest heart to stone;
For stief without one shining ray of joy,
Like pleasure, without sombre grief's alloy,
Drives the heart in upon itself 10 live,
Nor love, nor care, nor thought, to others give.
Nov joy her starry crown restores again,
And while the crown OF sorrow still remains,
Aud ON his heart he feels the chastcning rod
H. bows submissive to the will OF God.
lie wcpps with those that mourn, and with the gay
Ills hearts as light singing birds in May
Shining through darkest cloud he sees the light
OF love divine. like the shekinah bright,
And in the hour Of iOyfulness and mirth,
He hears the whisper Not alone for earth
ur earthly pleasures shalt thou live. Enjoy
EIrths beauties and its happiness but joy,
Eternal and supreme can only dwell
With Him, above, who "doeth all things we'll"
Now at the crimson close OF summer day,
An old man sits. His scattered locks OF grey
Are gently lifted by the sportiye breeze,
Playing At Glide and seek" among the trees,
Peaceful and bright the evening OF his life
As this fair summer eve; the pain and strife
Have wrought their mission, and he sees at last
The light and darkness On his pathway cast,
Blending, have Ger him bent the beauteOus bow,
Fulfilling the blessing which the crowns bestow
And rereTently his aged head bending low,
For crown OF pleasure and for crown OF woe,
He thanks the Holy One, whose loving care
Ordained that he, through life their weight should
bear.
West Point Miss. AMY AppIsoN.