HOW rapid is the speed of time,
That bears us on our way;
And offers to the anxious sight,
Fresh opening prospects of delight,
That boasts a transient stay.
Hope, radiant inmate of the soul,
Illumes the clouds of care;
And while each present joy they screen,
She rises on the distant scene,
And throws her lustre there.
When pleasure gilds the wing of time,
It glitters as it flies;
That Goddess with a power endow’d,
To charm us on our rugged road,
Her daily food supplies.
Now that I gain another step,
On life’s uncertain way;
Imagination shall repair,
And seated draw an outline there,
Of many a future day.
Resign thy pencil, powerless maid,
For errors dim thy sight;
Hope’s softest strains salute thy ear,
And pleasure’s radiant forms appear,
To make the medium bright.
“Nor yet,” imagination said,
“My power will I resign;
“For know of every joy below,
“Of ev’ry bliss the heart shall know,
“Full half the worth is mine.”
“For should some distant pleasure hang,
“On hope’s celestial zone;
“My pencil gives the golden hue,
“It adds a lustre ever new,
“A glory all its own.
“Take from my hand the glowing scene,
“Observe the fair design;
“My tints enrich the azure skies,
“My fertile flow’ry hills arise,
“Such power alone is mine.”
(Elizabeth Bath)
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