An Invitation

Come, while the blossoms of thy years are brightest,
Thou youthful wanderer in a flowery maze,
Come, while the restless heart is bounding lightest,
And joy's pure sunbeams tremble in thy ways;
Come, while sweet thoughts, like summer-buds unfolding,
Waken rich feelings in the careless breast,
While yet thy hand the ephemeral wreath is holding,
Come — and secure interminable rest!
Soon will the freshness of thy days be over,
And thy free buoyancy of soul be flown;
Pleasure will fold her wing, and friend and lover
Will to the embraces of the worm have gone;
Those who now love thee will have pass'd forever,
Their looks of kindness will be lost to thee;
Thou wilt need balm to heal thy spirit's fever,
As thy sick heart broods over years to be!
Come, while the morning of thy life is glowing,
Ere the dim phantoms thou art chasing die;
Ere the gay spell which earth is round thee throwing
Fades, like the crimson from a sunset sky;
Life hath but shadows, save a promise given,
Which lights the future with a fadeless ray;
O, touch the sceptre! — win a hope in Heaven
Come, turn thy spirit from the world away !,
Then will the crosses of this brief existence
Seem airy nothings to thine ardent soul; —
And, shining brightly in the forward distance,
Will of thy patient race appear the goal:
Home of the weary! — where, in peace reposing,
The spirit lingers in unclouded bliss,
Though o'er its dust the curtain'd grave is closing,
Who would not, early, choose a lot like this?