Classic Poem

The midges rise in columns tall
Above my ancient garden wall,
And as they whirl in merry flight,
Their flickering wings reflect the light
Of sunset, till in hood of grey
The gloaming veils the face of day.

Ha! merry child, the dancers now
Are wheeling round thy sunny brow,
For thou'rt a fay so fair and bright,
They take thee for a star of light;
And 'mid the gloaming louring dun,
They hail thee as thou wert a sun.

And as thou boundest in thy glee,
The merry insects bound with thee;
Now leaping here, now frisking there,
They flutter o'er thee high in air,
Till, with the latest gleam of light,
They sink amid the gloom of night.

Ah! life and day are bright and clear,
And death and night are murk and drear,
And all created beings have
A dread of darkness and the grave,
While insect, man, and angel share
In love for all that's bright and fair.

Have soul to feel, have eye to see
The glories of the Deity;
Let hope and faith with joy unite,
And hail this love of life and light,
As proof o'er all, through all abroad,
That life is light, and light is God.