Joel Benton (1832–1911)

THE CHILD-EYED wonder with which life began,

The prattling voice of joy, the heart of glee,

Have followed not the footsteps of the man;

A world more sorrowful it is that he

Must battle with, and fearlessly explore:

Far fades the gleam of Life’s once purpled sea

When Youth was ours—the Youth that comes no more.

Those happy shores retreat which once we knew;

The well-loved voices, hushed and still are they;

Lost halcyon years, with skies of deepest blue,

Dear hearts that vanished some sad yesterday

Leave our life’s journey dark. Alas, how true

This deep World-Sorrow shadows all our way!

Yet somewhere, to some unknown, far-off strand,

Whose silver coast beyond the horizon’s rim

Gleams with sweet promise, they perchance have passed,

Where all is plain which now seems dark and dim;

And when we reach it we shall understand

The mystery—the puzzle real at last—

And find beyond these shadows and shed tears

The perfect joy of Heaven’s untarnished years.