As one dark morn I trod a forest glade,
A sunbeam entered at the further end,
And ran to meet me through the yielding shade —
As one who in the distance sees a friend,
And smiling, hurries to him; but mine eyes,
Bewilder'd by the change from dark to bright,
Received the greeting with a quick surprise
At first, and then with tears of pure delight;
For sad my thoughts had been, — the tempest's wrath
Had gloom'd the night, and made the morrow gray;
That heavenly guidance humble sorrow hath,
Had turn'd my feet into that forest way,
Just when His morning light came down the path,
Among the lonely woods at early day.