[From Mona's Isle, 1844]

THE MYSTERIES OF HUMAN LIFE.

MYSTERIOUS is the soul of man,
Deep veil’d in dark obscurity,
Whose mortal course is but a span—
A being of eternity!

Where is thy seat, immortal soul,
Within this earthly frame of mine—
Art thou diffus’d throughout the whole,
Or does a part thy power enshrine?

This union’s secret, man in vain
With searching mind seeks to explore,
And if the future, joy or pain
Will yield from out its hidden store.

But better far to hide from man
That which would mar his present joy,
His fate if he could only scan
Might all his happiness destroy.

Then be resign’d to what thou art,
And seek not of thy life to know
More than thy Maker doth impart
To suit thy being here below.