The National Republican And Ohio Political Register

THE HOUR OF DISTRESS.

O 'tis not while the fairy-breeze fans the green ocean,
That the safety and strength of the bark can be known;
And 'tis not in prosperity's hour the devotion,
The fervent, and truth of a friend can be known.

No! the bark must be proy'd when the tempest is howling,
When dangers and mountain-waves close on her press;
The friend, when the sky of adversity's scowling,
For the touchstone of friendship's the hour of distress.

When prosperity's day star beams pure & unclouded,
Ten thousands will mingle their shouts round its throne,
But, oh! let its light for one moment be shrouded.
And the smiles of the faithless, like shadows are gone.

Then comes the true friend, who to guile is a stranger
The heart of the lone one to soothe and caress,
While his smile, like the beacon light blazing in danger,
Sheds a beam o'er the gloom of the hour of distress.

O 'tis sweet mid the horrors of bleak desolation,
While pleasure and hope seem eternally flown,
When the heart is first lit by the dear consolation,
That a haven of happiness yet may be won.

Grief fades like the night cloud, bliss mingles with sorrows,
When the first sunny rays through the darkness appear,
And the rainbow of hope beameth bright as it borrows
All its splendor and light from a smile and a tear.

O 'tis those whose life's path has been clouded and cheerless,
Can feel that full burst of pure transport and bliss,
When the trusty and tried friend comes boldly and fearless,
To share, or relieve, the dark hour of distress.

Past griefs may cease to be thought on, but never
Can time make the feeling of gratitude less :
May the blessing of God rest, for ever and ever,
On him who forsook not in hours of distress.