HOPE ON.

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BY MRS. C. H. W. ESLING.

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Hope on—the clouds that gather thick before thee

Hide the glad light that led thy steps afar,

But beams there not, on night’s dark Heaven o’er thee,

Purely and brightly, gentle star on star?

Then let thy gaze pierce those sad clouds around thee—

See thro’ the opening, dimly tho’ at first,

Breaking the chains that to despair had bound thee:

Light out of darkness gloriously burst.

Hope on—tho’ shadows shut out present gladness,

Not far beyond, the sunlight lingers still—

Dim looks the valley, in its misty sadness,

Ere the bright day hath climbed the eastern hill.

There is a light, tho’ secretly ’tis playing

Round the dark edges of those clouds we fear:

Some mission’d spirit, in our footsteps straying,

Whispering the words of comfort and of cheer.

Wilt thou not take the counsel kindly given?

Wilt thou not turn thy gaze from present gloom?

Dost thou not see, the power, in yonder Heaven,

That sends the blight, may likewise send the bloom?

Hope on, I pray thee—Hope on in thy sorrow—

Brush from thine eye the fastly falling tear;

Thou know’st the night, tho’ dark, must have a morrow,

And, after storms, the rainbow will appear.