Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT
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“ For ever night, and no blue sky ! ”
The blind girl cried,
And gently sighed,
“ Mother I wish that I could die !
I hear the merry thrilling laugh
Of children on the green ;
The bounding mirth of village Tom—
The song of little Jean.
I hear them speak in lisping tones
Of nooks where violets grow,
And of the pretty wreaths they make
With daisies white as snow.
I hear the forest songsters small
Send forth their matin lays,
And ’midst the gathering shades of night,
Trill their last note of praise.
Softly the kindly zephyrs play
Among the trembling leaves ;
Gladly the harvest reapers sing
Among their golden sheaves.
They tell me that the velvet sod,
Which ’neath my feet is spread,
Makes for the fragrant, blooming flowers
A soft and easy bed.
Oh ! what a beauteous world, methinks,
This earthly one must be,
With glorious sun, and birds, and trees ;
I wish that I could see !
The bubbling brook and cascade wild,
The birds upon the trees,
The rustliug leaves, the thunder’s roar,
The gentle evening breeze—
All join the universal song
Of praise to God above,
For all those tokens of His power,
And of His wondrous love.
And shall not I, blind though I be,
Join in the endless strain,
And praise my Maker while I live,
My blessed Saviour’s name i
But all this world is dark as night,
And though I know ’tis wrong,
The wish that I could now depart,
Is very, very strong.
For then my eyes in heaven will ope
Upon those regions bright,
Where all is peace, and joy, and love,
And never any night.”
M
Euterpe.