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Johnson, Helen M. (Helen Mar), 1834-1863

"Canadian Wild Flowers"

We judge according to
appearances, and this is one great source of misery; for, in our
grief, we imagine others are more favored than we, and for the
blessings we do enjoy we are not thankful. Oh, the great mercy of God!
What a wonder it is that he does not smite us to the earth when we
dare murmur at his dealings!


I SHALL DEPART.

When the flowers of Summer die,
When the birds of Summer fly,
When the winds of Autumn sigh,
I shall depart.
When the mourning Earth receives
Last of all the faded leaves,--
When the wailing forest grieves,
I shall depart.
When are garnered grain and fruit,
When all insect life is mute,
I shall drop my broken lute;
I shall depart.
When the fields are brown and bare,
Nothing left that's good or fair,
And the hoar-frost gathers there,
I shall depart.
Not with you, O songsters, no!
To no Southern clime I go,--
By a way none living know
I shall depart.
Many aching hearts may yearn,
Many lamps till midnight burn,
But I never shall return,
When I depart.
Trembling, fearing, sorely tried,
Waiting for the ebbing tide,
Who, oh! who will be my guide
When I depart?
Once the river cold and black
Rolled its waves affrighted back,--
I shall see a shining track
When I depart.


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