Love and Hope and Youth, together
Travelling once in stormy weather,
Met a deep and gloomy tide,
Flowing swift, and dark, and wide.
'Twas named the River of Despair,--
And many a wreck was floating there.
The urchins paused, with faces grave,
Debating how to cross the wave,
When, lo! the curtain of the storm
Was severed, and the rainbow's form
Stood against the parting cloud,
Emblem of peace on trouble's shroud.
Hope pointed to the signal flying,
And the three, their shoulders plying,
O'er the stream the light arch threw--
A rainbow bridge of loveliest hue!
Now, laughing as they tripped it o'er,
They gayly sought the other shore.