About her brows, and her dear, pale face And drew on her white feet her white silk shoes;- And over her bosom they crossed her hands; And then there was Silence;—and nothing there And jasmine, and roses, and rosemary; For they said, "As a lady should lie, lies she! And they held their breath as they left the room, But he who loved her too well to dread He lit his lamp, and took the key, He and she; but she would not speak, Though he kiss'd, in the old place, the quiet cheek; He and she; yet she would not smile, Though he call'd her the name that was fondest erewhile. He and she; and she did not move To any one passionate whisper of love! Then he said, "Cold lips! and breast without breath! "Dumb to the ear and still to the sense. But to heart and to soul distinct, — intense? "See, now, "Was it the infinite wonder of all, "Or was it a greater marvel to feel 66 'Was the miracle greatest to find how deep, Beyond all dreams, sank downward that sleep? "Did life roll backward its record, Dear, And show, as they say it does, past things clear? "And was it the innermost heart of the bliss To find out so what a wisdom love is? "Oh, perfect Dead! oh, Dead most dear, "I listen "There must be pleasures in dying, Sweet, "I would tell you, Darling, if I were dead, And 'twere your hot tears upon my brow shed. "I would say though the angel of death had laid His sword on my lips to keep it unsaid. "You should not ask, vainly, with streaming eyes, Which in Death's touch was the chiefest surprise; "6 The Ah! foolish world! Oh! most kind Dead! Who will believe that he heard her say, I hear, "I can speak, now you listen with soul alone; If your soul could see, it would all be shown. "What a strange delicious amazement is Death, To be without body and breathe without breath. "I should laugh for joy if you did not cry; Oh, listen! Love lasts!- Love never will die. "I am only your Angel who was your Bride; And I know, that though dead, I have never died." WOMAN'S INCONSTANCY BY SIR ROBERT AYTON I loved thee once, I'll love no more, He that can love unloved again, Hath better store of love than brain: God send me love my debts to pay, While unthrifts fool their love away. Nothing could have my love o'erthrown, When new desires had conquer'd thee, It had been lethargy in me, Not constancy, to love thee still. Yea, it had been a sin to go Since we are taught no prayers to say Yet do thou glory in thy choice, Thy choice of his good fortune boast; The height of my disdain shall be, A begging to a beggar's door. SCHOOL DAYS BY THE REV. DR. MALTBIE D. BABCOCK Lord, let me make this rule, And try my best To stand each test, And do my work And nothing shirk. Should some one else outshine This dullard head of mine, Should I be sad? I will be glad. To do my best Is Thy behest. If weary with my book Dost take my book away Anon to let me play, And let me out Thee for recess. |