A Hidden Life

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III.

To C.C.P.

The bird on the leafy tree, The bird in the cloudy sky, The fish in the wavy sea, The stag on the mountain high, The albatross asleep
On the waves of the rocking deep, The bee on its light wing, borne Over the bending corn,--
What is the thought in the breast Of the little bird at rest? What is the thought in the songs Which the lark in the sky prolongs? What mean the dolphin's rays, Winding his watery ways?
What is the thought of the stag, Stately on yonder crag?
What doth the albatross think, Dreaming upon the brink
Of the mountain billow, and then Dreaming down in its glen? What is the thought of the bee Fleeting so silently,
Flitting from part to part, Speedily, gently roving,
Like the love of a thoughtful heart, Ever at rest, and moving? What is the life of their thought? Doth praise their souls employ? I think it can be nought
But the trembling movement to and fro Of a bright, life-giving joy. And the God of cloudless days, Who souls and hearts doth know, Taketh their joy for praise, And biddeth its fountains flow.

And if, in thy life on earth, In the chamber, or by the hearth, Mid the crowded city's tide, Or high on the lone hill-side, Thou canst cause a thought of peace, Or an aching thought to cease, Or a gleam of joy to burst On a soul in gladness nurst; Spare not thy hand, my child; Though the gladdened should never know The well-spring amid the wild Whence the waters of blessing flow. Find thy reward in the thing Which thou hast been blest to do; Let the joy of others cause joy to spring Up in thy bosom too.
And if the love of a grateful heart As a rich reward be given, Lift thou the love of a grateful heart To the God of Love in Heaven.




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