Present and Future

What is life that we should love it,
Cherishing it evermore,
Never prizing aught above it,

Ever loth to give it o'er?
Is it goodness? is it gladness?
Nay, 'tis more of sin and sadness,

Nay, of weariness 'tis more.
Earthly joys are very fleeting,
Earthly sorrows very long;
Parting ever follows meeting,

Night succeeds to evensong.
Storms may darken in the morning
And eclipse the sun's bright dawning,

And the chilly gloom prolong.
But, though clouds may screen and hide it,
The sun shines for evermore.

Then bear grief in hope: abide it
Knowing that it must give o'er:
And the darkness shall flee from us,

And the sun beam down upon us
Ever glowing more and more.