2-979-040 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Grief" - painted by Schlessenger, 1857. 'There's good in tears, or they had not been sent By Him who is all good! It is not wise To keep our sorrows in our hearts up-pent When we can give them freedom from our eyes. The storm-cloud only darkens the fair earth Until it falleth down in gentle rain; And then what wond'rous beauties have their birth! So, when the heart is overcharged with pain, We see a shadow upon every good; But let our heavy sorrows have their way, And as they well into a tearful flood What comfort may not come? Ah! who can say? Grief hath a mission holier than joy - It moves the selfish, and it warms the cold; A common sorrow will e'en pride destroy, And change the King and beggar to one mould. Our griefs should make us gentler to our kind, And, as we comfort need, more comfort pay: So using sorrow, we our tears shall find Have washed some grossness of our souls away. M. L.'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.