| 
         Stanzas written in a moment of
        extreme hilarity. 
        By Grace Aguilar. 
        I never lov’d a flow’r, 
        And cherish’d it with pride, 
        But it wither’d in its home of love, 
        And bow’d its head and died. 
        I never lov’d a star, 
        And dream’d it gave reply 
        To my spirit’s deep imaginings, 
        But it faded from on high. 
        I never lov’d a friend, 
        But parting’s fiat came, 
        And sympathies were sever’d, that 
        Ne’er seem’d again the same. 
        I never felt deep gladness, 
        But a silent shadow stole, 
        E’en ‘mid the laughing flow’rs that twin’d 
        A moment o’er my soul. 
        Then oh! Be still my spirit, 
        Hush thy full joyance now, 
        Bid hence the rays that light mine eye, 
        And sparkle on my brow! 
        Back to thy calmness come, 
        Break from the glitt’ring chain 
        So strangely o’er my full heart thrown, 
        Back to thy home again! 
        Deck not this earth so brightly, 
        Joy hath not here its rest; 
        His whisper hath too sweet a tone 
        For aught of mortal breast. 
        Oh come back to thy stillness, 
        And dwell there with thy God; 
        His blessed paths of quietness 
        Securely thou hast trod. 
        And tho’ no dazzling flow’rs 
        May there breathe tales of glee, 
        And mirth’s light laugh no echo finds: 
        In safety thou wilk be. 
        Our Father’s smile will lead thee, 
        His love will go before— 
        Return! Return, my spirit—Oh 
        Come to thy God once more. 
        					 |