John Greenleaf Whittier Light Quotations

The sun that brief December day Rose cheerless over hills of gray, And, darkly circled, gave at noon A sadder light than waning moon.

What miracle of weird transforming Is this wild work of frost and light, This glimpse of glory infinite?

A faint blush melting through the light of thy transparent cheek like a rose-leaf bathed in dew.

God is good and God is light In this faith I rest secure, Evil can but serve the right, Over all shall love endure.

So fallen! so lost! the light withdrawn Which once he wore; The glory from his gray hairs gone For evermore!

The garden rose may richly bloom In cultured soil and genial air, To cloud the light of Fashion's room Or droop in Beauty's midnight hair, In lonelier grace, to sun and dew The sweetbrier on the hillside shows Its single leaf and fainter hue, Untrained and wildly free, yet still a sister rose!

And light is mingled with the gloom, And joy with grief; Divinest compensations come, Through thorns of judgment mercies bloom In sweet relief.