$

Prefatory Sonnet.

UNLIGHT and Shade; rich gold that dulls to grey;

The fairest Summer morn, radiant with light,
Succeeded by the gloomiest Winter night-

So runs the tale of Life from day to day.

And no man knows when, ranked in close array,

The thick black clouds will hide the sun from sight,

And darken all that has been glad and bright,

And make Life for awhile a shadowed way.

'Mid Sun and Shadow, happiness and woe,

The years roll on, each bringing its due share

Of pure unruffled joy, and stormy care;

And yet, if men will only have it so,
The dark days will be short, and every one
Will have his long fair summer day of sun.

6