Grand River Times

LINES BY THE LAKE SIDE
BY J. G. WHITTIER.

The shadows round the inland sea
Are deepening into night;
Slow up the slopes of Ossipee*
They chase the lessening light.
Tired of the long day's blinding heat,
I rest my languid eye,
Lake of the Hills! where cool and sweet
Thy placid waters lie!
Along the sky in wavy lines,
O'er isle and nook and bay,
Green-belted with eternal pines,
The mountains stretch away;
Below, the maple masses sleep
Where shore with water blends;
Where midway on the tranquil deep
The evening light descends,
So seemed it when yon hill's red crown
Of old the Indian trod,
And through the sunset air looked down
Upon the Smile† of God.
To him, of light and shade the laws,
No forest skeptic taught:
Their living and eternal cause,
His truer instinct sought.
He saw these mountains in the light
Which now across them shines;
This lake, in summer sunset bright,
Walled round with sombering pines.
God near him seemed; from earth and skies
His loving voice he heard.
As face to face in paradise
Man stood before his Lord.
Thanks, Oh, our FATHER! that like him
Thy smile of love I see,
In radiant hill and woodland dim,
And tinted sunset sea.
For not in mockery dost thou fill
Our earth with light and grace,
Thou hid'st no dark and cruel will,
Behind thy smiling face!

CENTER HARBOR, N.H.

* Ossipee, a mountain near lake Winnipiseogee.
† Winnipiseogee, i.e., "Smile of the Great Spirit."