And strives to do its bidding. It serves thee well and tenderly. And what is Death? Ah, child of mine, seek far and well A dream is but a rose's breath And so is Death. 'Tis but a dream, a tender kiss; A sleep A pillow for thy care and tear; It is not, then, amiss. And what is Life? And what is Love? And what is Death? so pure and free; Seek, child, no more, nor worry with thy queries, For Life is Love; and Love is Death, And Death is peace and sweet, Sweet rest for one who wearies. DIRGE FOR A SOLDIER On the death of General Philip Kearney at Chantilly, Va. BY GEORGE HENRY BOKER Close his eyes; his work is done! Rise of moon or set of sun, Hand of man or kiss of woman? Lay him low, lay him low, As man may, he fought his fight, Lay him low, lay him low, In the clover or the snow! Fold him in his country's stars, Leave him to God's watching eye; Trust him to the hand that made him. Mortal love weeps idly by; God alone has power to aid him. Lay him low, lay him' low, In the clover or the snow! What care he? he cannot know; LIGHT BY FRANCIS W. BOURDILLON The night has a thousand eyes, Yet the light of the bright world dies, The mind has a thousand eyes, And the heart but one; Yet the light of a whole life dies, When love is done. O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM BY PHILLIPS BROOKS O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark street shine th The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee to-night. For Christ is born of Mary, And, gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep O morning stars, together And praises sing to God the King, How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! Where meek souls will receive Him, still O Holy Child of Bethlehem, A COURT LADY BY ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Her hair was tawny with gold, her eyes with purple were dark, Her cheeks' pale opal burnt with a red and restless spark. Never was lady of Mílan nobler in name and in race; Never was lady of Italy fairer to see in the face. Never was lady on earth more true as woman and wife, Larger in judgment and instinct, prouder in manners and life. She stood in the early morning, and said to her maidens, "Bring That silken robe made ready to wear at the court of the king. "Bring me the clasps of diamond, lucid, clear of the mote, Clasp me the large at the waist, and clasp me the small at the throat. 66 Diamonds to fasten the hair, and diamonds to fasten the sleeves, Laces to drop from their rays, like a powder of snow from the eaves." Gorgeous she entered the sunlight which gathered her up in a flame, While straight, in her open carriage, she to the hospital came. In she went at the door, and gazing, from end to end, "Many and low are the pallets, but each is the place of a friend." Up she passed through the wards, and stood at a young man's bed: |