Virginia Free Press

THERE'S NOTHING LOST

1

There's nothing lost The fairest flower
That grows within the darkest vale,
Though lost to sight, and all the power
The rarest perfume to exhale:
That perfume, borne on zephyr's wing,
May visit some to glad God's sod,
And like the wind accustom bring,
To cheerless radiance round her head.

There's nothing lost. The drop of dew
That trembles in the rosebud's breast,
Will seek its home of either time,
And fall again as pure and blest-
Perchance to swell the dewy spray,
Or moisten the dry parching sod,
Or mingle in the fountain's play,
Or sparkle in the sun of God.

There's nothing lost, The seed that's cast
By careless hand to ope the ground,
Will yet take root, and may at last
A green and glorious tree be found :
Beneath its shade some pilgrim may
Seek shelter from the heat of noon,
While in its boughs the breezes play,
And song birds join their own sweet tune,

There's nothing lost.The slightest tone
Or whisper from a loved one's voice,
May melt a heart of hardest stone,
And make the saddest heart rejoice,
And then, again, the careless word
Our thoughtless lips too often speak,
May touch a heart already stirred,
And cause that troubled heart to break.

There's nothing lost. The faintest strain
Or breathings from some dear one's lute,
In memory's dream may come again,
Though every mournful string be mute,
The music of some happier hour-
The harp that swelled with love's own words,
May thrill the soul with deepest power.
When still the hands that swept its chords.