hill and tree, and sorrow ceased to press so heavily on the soul. Thus, light, in truth, has issue out of darkness, joy out of grief, and, mercy of heaven, life out of death again! THE MORNING'S DAWN. I PAUSED by Reginald's tower on Waterford's stream. Men, women, children—haggard, forlorn, kept crowding by. Vice, grovelling error, had left dark traces on many a brow. Was there but one of that circling throng, who, in lofty port and noble bearing, upheld the dignity of his kind, gave trace and token of man's immortal destiny? I hid my face and wept-O God, there was not one! Again, another change; it boots little now. Yet once must I revisit Dublin-watch one more night by Marion's grave, meditate by N Cornelius's tomb, then turn my face for ever away. I stand by the brink of the masterless sea. Huge waves boom in majesty. The wind sighs with gentler cadence 'mid the rifted hills, bowing the wild plants as it hurries along. But my thoughts are far away. I pause by the shores of a mightier ocean, whose sands are time, whose waves are eternity! The future is about to lift its veil. My span of life is done, my term is drawing nigh, my little measure of usefulness is filled to the brim. Hail, then, blessed future -many-peopled regions of infinity, all hail! Farewell, busy world ye refreshing streams, and, oh, ye many-voiced winds of heaven, farewell! Farewell, too, thou provident nature; soon, Michael shall need thy sustenance no Fellow-men, fellow-countrymen, I bless Almighty God, raise, protect my country! Cleansed from ignorance, error, sin, raise more. you. |