A SIMPLE thing will often bring
Some latent thoughts to mind,
Which stir the heart, or soothe its smart
Beneath the lot assign’d.
With me ‘twas so some time ago,
As I pursued my way;
For hopeful thought in me was wrought,
Just by a Load of Hay.
The time of year made all appear
Of dull and sombre hue;
No bright’ning ray illum’d the day, —
The sun was hid from view.
I, too, was sad, for sorrow had
Its dark’ning shadow cast,
As I, unwise, with drooping eyes,
Had ponder’d o’er the past.
Along the road a waggon load
Of hay just then appear’d;
And though the sight gave brief delight,
Its fresh’ning fragrance cheer’d.
It carried, too, my mental view
To sunny meads and fields,
And rais’d the scene of rural green,
With all the charms it yields.
I thought of Spring, when songsters sing,
And sweets the air perfume;
Of Summer’s glow, when zephyrs blow,
And roses blush and bloom.
Hope bade me smile, and said, ‘erewhile
The Winter would be past,
When clearer rays and lengthen’d days
Would brightness bring at last.
Thus cheer’d anew, I rais’d my view
To brighter realms above,
Which never fade, nor cast a shade,
But beam with light and love.
The central Sun, — The Heavenly One, ―
My Lord, I too beheld;
Then, from my heart did doubt depart,
And clouds were all dispell’d.
With heart uprais’d, His name I prais’d,
And blessed Him for His grace,
And patience sought, with hope, till brought
Before Him, face to face.
With strength renew’d, I then pursued
His rightly-order’d way;
Nor would forget that, thus, I met
That fragrant Load of Hay.