Paroles

See yonder cloud along the west,
In gay fantastic splendor dress’d;
Fancy’s bright visions charm the eye,
Sweet fairy bowers in prospect lie,
And blooming fields smile from the sky
Decked in the hues of Even!
But short its evanescent stay,
Its brilliant masses fade away,
The breeze floats off its visions gay,
And clears the face of Heaven.

Thus to fond man does Life’s fair scene
Delusive spread its cheerful green.
Before his path shine Pleasure’s bowers,
Each smiling field seems dress’d in flowers,
Hope leads him on, and shows his hours
For Peace and Pleasure given—
But one by one his hopes decay,
Each flattering vision fades away,
Each cheering scene charms to betray,
And naught remains but Heaven.

(Catharine Beecher)