BALLADS of the FARM AND HOME HENRY H. JOHNSON. FROM SHORE TO SHORE. I HAD a vision just at eventide Before me swelled an ocean deep and wide, And here and there upon its broad, blue breast, Gay ships were seen, all moving, none at rest. An angel form stood by me on the strand, With shining features and with outstretched hand, Pointing my gaze the dark-blue waters oer, And bade me watch the ships that left the shore. He spake in tones that thrilled my very soul Gaze forth, oh man, where yon blue waters roll Behold lifes ...
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BALLADS of the FARM AND HOME HENRY H. JOHNSON. FROM SHORE TO SHORE. I HAD a vision just at eventide Before me swelled an ocean deep and wide, And here and there upon its broad, blue breast, Gay ships were seen, all moving, none at rest. An angel form stood by me on the strand, With shining features and with outstretched hand, Pointing my gaze the dark-blue waters oer, And bade me watch the ships that left the shore. He spake in tones that thrilled my very soul Gaze forth, oh man, where yon blue waters roll Behold lifes ocean spreading far and wide, Behold the ships that skim its swelling tide. Each craft you see is but a human life, Launched forth to win or perish in the strife. Mark well the course and destiny of each, And profit by the truth their ends doth teach. I saw a tiny boat shoot from the shore, So frail it scarce could float the freight it bore, An infant, with its great and wondering eyes Gazing around in childish, glad surprise. Onward the fragile craft serenely sped The infant laughed in glee. No fear nor dread It felt, but shouting loudly in its glee, It rode the surface of the shining sea.. I saw, a little farther from the shore, A larger boat propelled by silver oar A group of happy children was its load, And merrily they played as on they rode. I heard them laughing loudly in their play, As onward sped their boat upon its way I heard their voices shouting oer the flood O, life is grand All things in life are good A little farther out, with swelling sail And streaming flag moved by the gentle gale, A yacht sped on brave youths and maidens fair, Upon its decks were pacing here and there. In beauty smiled the soft, blue skies above, While arm in arm they walked and talkedof love, And gazed into the future glowing bright With sunny days, but saw no dismal night. Still farther out, with masts and sails and shrouds Towering aloft toward the hovering clouds, A goodly ship I saw strong men were there, With brows on which were marked faint lines of care, And matrons, in whose auburn tresses glow The first precursors of the coming snow. Some strove for wealth, and some for dazzling fame, While others cared for neither gold nor name. Far out and near the distant, shadowy strand, I saw a ship approach the darkened land. It bore the scars of many an angry gale, On hull and mast and shroud and tattered sail. Groups of the aged thronged its storm-worn deck, . They, like this vessel, scarcely more than vreck. Old men and women, bent with age and toil, Bearing with tottering limbs their mortal coil. With snowy heads and shoulders stooping low, They sat, or slowly tottered to and fro Seamed were their brows with many a line of care, Rough storms of life had left their traces there. And some, their longing glances backward cast, And sighed for joys and loves and labors past Others, with eager eyes, pierced the thick gloomr And saw a life beyond the nearing tomb. I strained my gaze the broad, deep ocean oer, A deep, dark gulf composed the further shore. Tell me, I cried, what tis that bounds the wave The angel sighing answered Tis the grave What thou hast seen is lifes full-written page Mark well its course from infancy to age. See how, from sunshine on to murky gloom Its course proceeds, its end the silent tomb. But see And pointing with his outstretched hand, I saw the outlines of a golden land Close to the grave its borders seemed to lie, And thence it stretchedbeyond the farthest sky. Behold the life beyond this earthly one When this is oer then that will be begun...
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Add this copy of Ballads of the Farm and Home to cart. $61.07, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Palala Press.
