Around, how joyful in the chilly air br Sweet sounds are floating! While above, the sky, br Peopled with visions bright, seems calm and fair br As infant smiling 'neath a mother's eye. br It is the chant of joy that fresh, sincere, br Springs up from youthful hearts! Yet louder from that br The souls of men, to greet the laughing year br That clothed in promise, from afar doth come, br Burdened with hope and gift unfold. 'Tis well br The tortured feelings and the sad should rise br To hail some vision'd good, and tuneful swell br With songs of fairy scenes that in the skies br Are forming; of the peace and glorious fame, br And wealth and pleasure in the distance strewn. br But all must learn that song and garnished dream br May end; that magic spells around them thrown br Will melt in air; that sweet thoughts, redolent br As spring-time buds may droop and faint and die; br That wish and vision bright are impotent br To clothe the mind with light; to fit the eye, br To guide the spirit's growth; to lead it on br To triumph in the world; to gain a wreath br Of praise enduring, as those souls have won, br Whose works do raise them from contempt and death. br 'Tis thought alone, creative fervent thought! br Earnest in life, and in its purpose bent br To uphold truth and right, that rich is fraught br With songs unceasing, and with gleamings sent br Of sure things coming from a brighter world. br 'Tis thought alone; girt round with quickening light, br With vision lofty, and with wing unfurled br Ready to soar, self-poised, when darkest night br Of power and of death descends, that can, br As days flit by, and years grow old apace, br Rejoice o'er bright scenes fled, and strengthened stand br More glorious things, singing with youthful face.