Ope the sacred source of sympathetic tears.

Ope the sacred source of sympathetic tears.

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of Earth, read more

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of Earth, overlaying our hard hearts.

No radiant pearl, which crested Fortune wears,
No gem that twinkling hangs from Beauty's wars.
Not the read more

No radiant pearl, which crested Fortune wears,
No gem that twinkling hangs from Beauty's wars.
Not the bright stars which Night's blue arch adorn,
Nor rising suns that gild the vernal morn,
Shine with such lustre as the tear that flows
Down Virtue's manly cheek for others' woes.

Accept these grateful tears! for thee thy flow,
For thee, that ever felt another's woe!

Accept these grateful tears! for thee thy flow,
For thee, that ever felt another's woe!

Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.

Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.

And friends, dear friends,--when it shall be
That this low breath is gone from me,
And gone read more

And friends, dear friends,--when it shall be
That this low breath is gone from me,
And gone my bier ye come to weep,
Let One, most loving of you all,
Say, "Not a tear must o'er her fall;
He giveth His beloved sleep."

Fountains of tears.
[Lat., Fons lacrymarum.]

Fountains of tears.
[Lat., Fons lacrymarum.]

The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast.

The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast.

We look through gloom and storm-drift
Beyond the years:
The soul would have no rainbow
read more

We look through gloom and storm-drift
Beyond the years:
The soul would have no rainbow
Hard the eyes no tears.