HEAVEN BRIGHTER THAN EARTH.
"Oh! make Heaven seem brighter than this world."
Dying words of the Rev. Mr. Bruen.
Those skies, no night that wear,
Nor cloud nor tempest know,
Those flowers no blight that bear,
Those streams that stainless flow—
Are they not brighter far
Than all that lures us here?
Where storms may fright each timid star
From Midnight's lonely sphere.
Here, Hope of sorrow drinks,
Here Beauty fades with care,
And Virtue from Temptation shrinks,
And Folly finds Despair;
But 'mid that world above
No baneful step may stray,
The white-winged seraph's glance of love
Would melt each ill away.
Friendship is there the guest
Of chilling doubt no more,
And Love, with thornless breast,
Whose pangs and fears are o'er:
