Classic Poem

Through the long and listless hours,
In this weary world of ours,
Woulds't thou learn a charm, whose might
Changes darkness into light?
Thousand thrilling tongues can tell,
In one word, that wondrous spell
Whose power can all the wide world move,
And that one magic word is “Love!”
 Like a golden thread, if love
 Through the web of life be wove,
 'Twill alway shine with cheering light,
 In the sun by day or the moon by night,—
 'Twill alway gleam with golden light.

Hast thou sought the world around,
Vainly sought, and never found
That one heart, wherein alone
Thou may'st lose, to find, thine own?
Close thou not the fount of bliss!
Look for lesser loves than this:
If no great sum thou'rt bound to pay,
Thou hast the more to give away.
 Like a golden thread, etc.

When the web of life is worn,
Old and fretted, frayed and torn,—
When 'tis fit, the world would say,
Only to be thrown away:
Till the parting hour be past,
Brightly shining to the last,
The latest shred to lose its hold
Will be that gleaming thread of gold.
 Like a golden thread, etc.

Reaching onward o'er the tomb,
Beaming cheerly through its gloom,
'Tis the hallowed thread of love
Leads thee to the world above.
There that thread, so bright and true,
Angel fingers weave anew;
And round thy loving brow 'tis rolled,
A shining, glowing crown of gold!
 Like a golden thread, etc.