English

The consummation of their lawless pleasure
Was done. They rose up from the mattress;
Hurriedly dressed themselves without speaking.
They go out separately, secretly from the house; and as
They walk rather uneasily up the street, it seems
As if they suspect that something about them betrays
On what sort of bed they lay down not long ago.

But for the artist how his life has gained.
Tomorrow, the next day or years after will be written
The lines of strength that here had their beginning.

Consider well that both by night and day
While we busily provide and care
For our disport, our revel and our play,
For pleasant melody and dainty fare,
Death stealeth on full slily; unaware
He lieth at hand and shall us all surprise,
We wot not when nor where nor in what wise.

When fierce temptations threat thy soul with loss
Think on His Passion and the bitter pain,
Think on the mortal anguish of the Cross,
Think on Christ's blood let out at every vein,
Think of His precious heart all rent in twain;

Consider, O my soul, what morn is this!
Whereon the eternal Lord of all things made,
For us, poor mortals, and our endless bliss,
Came down from heaven; and, in a manger laid,
The first, rich, offerings of our ransom paid:
Consider, O my soul, what morn is this!

Consider what estate of fearful woe
Had then been ours, had He refused this birth;
From sin to sin tossed vainly to and fro,
Hell's playthings, o'er a doomed and helpless earth!
Had He from us withheld His priceless worth,

“Conquer the gloomy night of thy sorrow, for the morning greets thee with laughter.
Rise and clothe thyself with noble pride,
Break loose from the tyranny of grief.
Thou standest alone among men,
Thy song is like a pearl in beauty.”

So spake my friend. 'T is well!
The billows of the stormy sea which overwhelmed my soul,—
These I subdue; I quake not
Before the bow and arrow of destiny.
I endured with patience when he deceitfully lied to me
With his treacherous smile.

Yea, boldly I defy Fate,

Confide ye aye in Providence,
— For Providence is kind:
An' bear ye a' life's changes
— Wi' a calm an' tranquil mind.
Though pressed and hemmed on every side,
— Ha'e faith, an' ye'll win through;
— — For ilka blade o' grass
— — — Keps its ain drap o' dew.

Gin reft frae friends, or crossed in love,
— As whiles nae doubt ye've been,
Grief lies deep-hidden in your heart,
— Or tears flow frae your e'ndash,
Believe it for the best, and trow
— There's good in store for you;

There is a love that tumbles like a stream,
Frothing and foaming down a budded way;
There is a love like ocean depths that move
Hidden, eternal — winter as in May.

There is a love that stumbles through its lines
Trying to say what love can never say;
There is another — patient, tender, strong
Serving and blessing till the close of day.

1. Confess we all, before the Lord, His grace and mercy then.
2. In presence of his holy ones. Praise him with joy and fear.
And shew his acts with one accord. Before the sons of men
Who doth revive our withered bones. And light from darkness rear

3. Man, woman, child, both old and young.
Rich, poor, the low and high,
Laud and extol with heart and tongue,
The highest Majesty.

4. Let all that lives confess his grace,
That saves their life and fame.
Let none by wicked life deface,
The glory of his name.

1

Confess Jehovah thankfully.
For He is good; for, His mercy
Continueth forever.
To God of Gods confesse doe ye:
Because, His bountiful mercie
Continueth forever.
Unto the Lord of Lords confess
Because His merciful kindness
Continueth forever.
To him that doth, himself onely
Things wondrous great: for, His mercy
Continueth forever.

2

To Him that spread the earth more high
Than waters are: for His mercy
Continueth forever.
To Him that made great lights to bee:

The conference-meeting through at last,
— We boys around the vestry waited
To see the girls come tripping past,
— Like snow-birds willing to be mated.

Not braver he that leaps the wall
— By level musket-flashes bitten,
Than I, that stepped before them all
— Who longed to see me get the mitten.

But no! she blushed and took my arm:
— We let the old folks have the highway,
And started toward the Maple Farm
— Along a kind of lovers' by-way.

I can't remember what we said, —

Concentred here th' united wisdom shines,
Of learn'd judges, and of sound divines:
Patriots, whose virtues searching time has tried,
Heroes, who fought, where brother heroes died;
Lawyers, who speak, as Tully spoke before,
Sages, deep read in philosophic lore;
Merchants, whose plans are to no realms confin'd,
Farmers — the noblest title 'mongst mankind:
Yeomen and tradesmen, pillars of the state;
On whose decision hangs Columbia's fate.