'That is not fair,' returned Lily, 'all I say is, that it is better
that people should act upon love for its own sake, than upon duty for
its own sake.'
'What comes in rhyme with Lily?' said Claude.
'Don't be tiresome, Claude, I really want you to understand me.'
'Wait till you understand yourself,' said the provoking brother, 'and
let me finish what I am reading.'
For about a quarter of an hour he was left in peace, while Lily was
busily employed with a pencil and paper, under the shadow of a book,
and at length laid before him the following verses:-
'What is the source of gentleness,
The spring of human blessedness,
Bringing the wounded spirit healing,
The comforts high of heaven revealing,
The lightener of each daily care,
The wing of hope, the life of prayer,
The zest of joy, the balm of sorrow,
Bliss of to-day, hope of to-morrow,
The glory of the sun's bright beam,
The softness of the pale moon stream,
The flow'ret's grace, the river's voice,
The tune to which the birds rejoice;
Without it, vain each learned page,
Cold and unfelt each council sage,
Heavy and dull each human feature,
Lifeless and wretched every creature;
In which alone the glory lies,
Which value gives to sacrifice?
'Tis that which formed the whole creation,
Which rests on every generation.
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