Danbury Times

MAN'S HEART.

I stood, in the sweet Spring-time, by the side,
Of a fair river, rolling wide and free;
Winter's cold chain had melted from its tide,
And on it revelled, in its joyous pride,
As though no ice-touch e'er could bid it hide:
How like, my fond vain heart, how like to thee!

I roamed its banks once more, 'midst summer's blaze,
Onward it rushed to the unfathomed sea,
Nor stayed to listen to the sweet bird's lays,
Nor, calm and clear, imaged the Sun's bright rays,
But rushed along its channel's devious ways:
How like, my headstrong heart, how like to thee!

I stood by that fair stream's green bank again
When Autumn winds were moaning sullenly;
The dead sere leaves did its bright waters stain,
And heavy pouring floods of falling rain
Swell'd its full breast, and drench'd the neighboring plain:
How like, my sad swoll'n heart, how like to thee!

I stood again, when Winter reigned severe,
By that stream's bank, which then look'd drearily;
Its once swift waves were frozen, cold, and clear,
And seemed as they an army's strength could bear,
Yet fail'd beneath the foot that ventured there;
How like, my false cold heart, how like to thee!

And shall the Seasons only when they show
Their darkest lines, my heart, thy mirror be?
Oh! learn Spring's mildness, Summer's strength, and grow
Mature as Autumn, pure as Winter's snow;
So shall they, when their features brightest glow,
Be most like thee, my heart, be most like thee!