THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. LAST Smile of the departing year, Thy sister sweets are flown! For blooming thus alone! Thy tender blush, thy simple frame, Unnoticed might be past; But now thou com'st, with softer claim, Sweet are the charms in thee we find, "Tis thine to call past bloom to mind, To promise future Spring. HYMN FOR NOVEMBER. "Who shall change our vile body, that it might be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."-Philippians iii. 21. RED o'er the forest peers the setting sun, The line of yellow light dies fast away That crowned the eastern copse: and chill and dun Now the tired hunter winds a parting note, And Echo bids good-night from every glade! Each to his rest beneath their parent shade. HYMN FOR NOVEMBER. How like decaying life they seem to glide! And yet no second Spring have they in store, But where they fall, forgotten, to abide Is all their portion, and they ask no more. Soon o'er their heads blithe April airs shall sing, A thousand wild-flowers round them shall unfold, Unconscious they in waste oblivion lie, In all the world of busy life around Man's portion is to die and rise again Yet he complains, while these unmurmuring part And haply half unblamed his murmuring voice Heavy and dull this frame of limbs and heart, Whether slow creeping on cold earth, or borne On lofty steed, or loftier prow, we dart O'er wave or field: yet breezes laugh to scorn Our puny speed, and birds, and clouds in Heaven, Who but would follow, might he break his chain? 197 And thou shalt break it soon; the grovelling worm Shall find his wings, and soar as fast and free As his transfigured Lord with lightning form And snowy vest-such grace He won for thee, When from the grave He sprung at dawn of morn, But first, by many a stern and fiery blast, The world's rude furnace must thy blood refine, Till every limb obey the mounting soul, The mounting soul, the call by Jesus given : He who the stormy heart can so control The laggard body soon will waft to heaven. |