THE END OF ALL EARTHLY GREATNESS. Was come, and, faithful to His promise, stood, THE END OF ALL EARTHLY GREATNESS. THE glories of our birth and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings; Sceptre and crown Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade. Some men with swords do reap the field, Early or late They stoop to fate, And must yield up their murmuring breath, Y 169 The garland withers on your brow: Then boast no more your mighty deeds! For on Death's purple altar, now, See where the victor victim bleeds; To the cold tomb : Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust. THE WORN WEDDING-RING. YOUR wedding-ring wears thin, dear wife; ah, summers not a few, Since I put it on your finger first, have passed o'er me and you; And, love, what changes we have seen-what cares and pleasures, too, Since you became my own dear wife, when this old ring was new. Oh, blessings on that happy day, the happiest of my life, wife; Your heart will say the same, I know, that day's as dear to you,That day that made me yours, dear wife, when this old ring was new. How well do I remember now your young sweet face that day! No-no; no fairer were you then than at this hour to me; Oh, partner of my gladness, wife, what care, what grief is there Years bring fresh links to bind us, wife—young voices that are here, Young faces round our fire that make their mother's yet more dear, Young, loving hearts, your care each day makes yet more like to you, More like the loving heart made mine when this old ring was new. RETIREMENT FROM THE WORLD. 173 And, bless'd be God! all He has given are with us yet; around Our table, every precious life lent to us still is found; Though cares we've known, with hopeful hearts the worst we've struggled through: Bless'd be His name for all His love since this old ring was new! The past is dear; its sweetness still our memories treasure yet; And if God spare us 'mongst our sons and daughters to grow old, And Oh, when death shall come at last to bid me to my rest, RETIREMENT FROM THE WORLD. How various his employments whom the world Calls idle; and who justly in return Esteems that busy world an idler too! Friends, books, a garden, and perhaps his pen, And Nature, in her cultivated trim Dressed to his taste, inviting him abroad Can he want occupation who has these? |