The Beautiful...

THE BEAUTIFUL

The beautiful! the beautiful!
Where do we find it not?
It is an all-pervading grace,
And lighteth every spot.

It sparkles on the ocean wave,
It glitters in the dew ;
We see it in the glorious sky.
And in the floweret's hue.

On mountain-top, in valley deep,
We find its presence there;
The beautiful! the beautiful!
It liveth every where.

The glories of the noontide day.
The still and solemn night;
The changing seasons, - all can bring
Their tribute of delight.

There's beauty in the child's first smile:
And in that look of faith,
The Christian's last on earth, before
His eyes are closed in death.

And in the beings that we love,
Who have our tenderest care,
The beautiful! the beautiful!
How sweet to trace it there!

'Twas in the glance that God threw o'er
The young created earth;
When He proclaimed it very good,
The beautiful had birth.

Then who shall say this world is dull,
And all to sadness given.
While yet there grows on every side.
The smile that came from heaven?

If so much loveliness is sent
To grace our earthly home,
How beautiful! how beautiful!
Will be the world to come.