(Awakened by a Robin) by Mrs. H. I. Farnum

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 5, 1904

(Awakened by a Robin)

By Mrs. H. I. Farnum

Reverie

(Awakened by a Robin)

MRS. H. I. FARNUM

When twilight falls, and mem’ry calls Dear forms long hid away, Enchanting song is borne along As dawns or wanes the day.

Mid the sighing and the dying, The sorrow, pain, and blood, With lashes wet, we might forget That erst all things were good.

But that clear trill when all is still Floats on the summer air, And visions rise of paradise, When earth was young and fair.

And then I seem as in a dream To view a vista, vast, Long rows of years in mystic tiers— The ages of the past!

And all the sheaves the dead past leaves In annals, true, are traced For good or ill. All human skill Is powerless to deface.

How many eyes have scanned these skies As sunlight crept away! How many heard the robin bird Alike as we, to-day!

Now, they are not, save lonely spot Perhaps, without a trace To tell the tale, or mark the vale— Their silent hiding place.

We view the sod, but hid in God Are many pass’d away, Who faithful wrought, his wisdom Sought, And duty, day by day; Ah, they will live and sing When “Morning” plumes her wing!

O, gladdest prime! Earth’s gala time, ’Tis coming, sure and fast! Unwelcome fears, unbidden tears Forever overpast! The bruisings of the wicked cease, And weary ones find perfect peace.

Then, ever, song will glide along Without a touch of pain, Where all is good. There mem’ry’s flood Includes no minor strain.

Peterboro, Ontario.