I. How pleasant is the opening year! The clouds of Winter melt away; The flowers in beauty reappear; The songster carols from the spray; Lengthens the more refulgent day; And bluer glows the arching sky; All things around us seem to say— "Christian! direct thy thoughts on high." II. In darkness, through the dreary length Of Winter slept both bud and bloom; But Nature now puts forth her strength, And starts renew'd, as from the tomb; Behold an emblem of thy doom, O man!—a star hath shone to save— And morning yet shall re-illume The midnight darkness of the grave! III. Yet ponder well, how then shall break The dawn of second life on thee— Shalt thou to hope—to bliss awake? Or vainly strive God's wrath to flee? Then shall pass forth the dread decree, That makes or weal or woe thine own: Up, and to work! Eternity Must reap the harvest Time hath sown. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM HERVEY by ABRAHAM COWLEY LOVERS HOW THEY COME AND PART by ROBERT HERRICK THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 1. CANTO 2. PRELUDE: LOVE AT LARGE by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE THE ABANDONED by MATHILDE BLIND THE HAPPY LAND by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |