Life.
Reading edition
Life is beautiful! its duties Cluster round each passing day, While their sweet and solemn voices spot Warn to work, to watch, to pray; They alone its blessings forfeit Who by sin their spirits cheat, Or to slothful stupor yielding, Let the rust their armour eat. Life is beautiful! affections Round its roots with ardour cling, 'Mid its opening blossoms nestle, Bird-like, in its branches sing, Smiling lull its cradle slumbers, Guard with pride its youthful bloom, Fondly kiss its snow-white temples, Dew the turf-mound o'er its tomb. Life is beautiful with promise Of a joy that cannot fade, Life is fearful, with the threatening Of an everlasting shade. May no thoughtless wanderer scorn it, Blindly lost in folly's maze, Duty, love, and hope adorn it: Let its latest breath be praise.