Chapter XII (11)

The crocus, hearing chimes of mirth.
Puts on her brightest yellow,
What cares she for the frosty earth.
When peals ring out so mellow?

The blackbird, in a love-lorn mood,
Is pecking at red berries.
But hark! those joy-bells make her food
As sweet as summer cherries.

In truth all nature hears the strains,
With heart of honest gladness;
They ring surcease of human pains,
And ring--a death to sadness.

They ring of friendship, and the grasp
Of hands in manly greeting;
They ring the softer tender clasp
Of Love and Psyche meeting.

They ring oblivion of the years
Whose sunset was in sorrow;
They drown in waves of sound, the fears
That cloud the dawn to-morrow.

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They ring the affluent table spread.
They ring of that sweet maiden
Who comes, with modest silent tread,
With gifts for poor folk laden.

They ring in tones more sweet than all
Of hopes the Cross has given,
And then their glad notes rise and fall.
Like Christmas bells in Heaven.

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ORIGINAL.

THE GODFREY FAMILY; OR, QUESTIONS OF THE DAY.