S. Sangater sculp

III.

Once more she bends that gentle mother-
The guileless lips' devotions o'er;
Once more thy little arm, my brother,
Entwines my neck as heretofore!

Once more, as when our prayers ascended,
At morn and eve, a mingled strain ;
Two young pure hearts together blended;
Ah! ne'er to be so pure again.

IV.

The world's cold clouds have dimmed that morrow,
Yet, gazing on this lovely scene,

Who would not turn from present sorrow,
To muse on peace that once had been!

They pray, untouched by care or ill,

With brows as calm as summer even ;,

Their eyes' clear depths retaining still

Some radiance from their native heaven:

V.

They pray,-upon those parted lips

Truth's simple spirit sits alone; The world hath cast no dim eclipse

Betwixt them and their Maker's throne:

They pray, and then the kind, "Good night,"

The loving kiss, shall end the prayer;

And theirs will be a slumber light,

With God's own blessing resting there.

VI.

Sweet innocents! and must it be

That this shall pass like morning dew; Children of pale mortality,

Oh, must its curse be on ye too! Shall weary day, and sleepless night,

Succeed the peace that fills ye now!

Shall sorrow cloud those eyes' soft light,
Those brows shall care's deep furrows plough!

VII.

Upon those bosom-temples' throne

Shall earth's foul spirits fix abode !
Shall life's wild path, advancing on,
But lead ye further from your God!
Dark thought and faithless-hence, away!
A holier trust be mine alone;

That God-He died for such as they

Hath still the power to keep his own.

VIII.

Yes, far on waves of trouble tost,

Their lone and lowly bark may roam; Yet know I they shall not be lost,

He whom they sought shall guide them home. Pure and unsullied are they still,

But taint of earth is on their bloom;

And earth has paths that wind through ill,

And care, and anguish, to the tomb.

IX.

Yet view I even such lot on earth,

With hope that soars o'er coward fears: Tears must they shed,-than worldling's mirth, Oh! better, holier far are tears.

Then leave them to their Father's hand;

By Him their onward course be given; Young pilgrims in a foreign land;

Yet destined heirs of rest in heaven!

Σ.