Anne

Dear Anne! It were a common wish, though vain,
     That all thy days might glide in sunshine by,
     And life no shadow know of misery:
‘T is well the cup Humanity must drain
Is dashed with bitter, though the lip would fain
     Turn from the draught—for they are strong alone
     To LIVE and ACT, whose spirits oft have known
The stern and wholesome discipline of Pain!
     Therefore I say not, “may no grief be thine,”
But “whether joy or sorrow mark thy way,
Oh, be thy strength sufficient to thy day,
     And cloudless sunlight gild that day’s decline—
So shalt thou know, Life’s load at last laid down,
Who meekest bears the cross is worthiest of the crown!”