Those pensive lips, that clear Madonna brow,
And the sweet earnestness of that dark eye,
Unto the canvas;—I may catch the flow
Of all those drooping locks, and glorify
With a soft halo what is imaged thus-
But how much rests unbreathed! my faithful one!
What thou hast been to me! This bitter world,
This cold unanswering world, that hath no voice
To greet the gentle spirit, that drives back
All birds of Eden, which would sojourn here
A little while-how have I turn'd away
From its keen soulless air, and in thy heart,
Found ever the sweet fountain of response,
To quench my thirst for home !
The dear work grows
Beneath my hand, -the last!
Teresa, (falling on his neck in tears.)
Eugene, Eugene ! Break not my heart with thine excess of love!— Oh! must I lose thee-thou that hast been still The tenderest — best
Weep, weep not thus, beloved! Let my true heart o'er thine retain its power Of soothing to the last!-Mine own Teresa! Take strength from strong affection!-Let our souls, Ere this brief parting, mingle in one strain Of deep, full thanksgiving, for God's rich boonOur perfect love!-Oh! blessed have we been In that high gift! Thousands o'er earth may pass With hearts unfreshen'd by the heavenly dew, Which hath kept ours from withering.-Kneel, true wife!
And lay thy hands in mine.
(She kneels beside the couch; he prays.
Thy children's thanks, Creator! for the love
Which thou hast granted, through all earthly woes,
To spread heaven's peace around them; which hath
bound
Their spirits to each other and to thee,
With links whereon unkindness ne'er hath breathed,
Nor wandering thought. We thank thee, gracious God!
For all its treasured memories! tender cares,
Fond words, bright, bright sustaining looks unchanged
Through tears and joy. O Father! most of all
We thank, we bless Thee, for the priceless trust,
Through Thy redeeming Son vouchsafed, to those
That love in Thee, of union, in Thy sight,
And in Thy heavens, immortal!-Hear our prayer!
Take home our fond affections, purified
To spirit-radiance from all earthly stain;
Exalted, solemnized, made fit to dwell,
Father! where all things that are lovely meet,
And all things that are pure-for evermore,
With Thee and Thine!
BLESSINGS, O Father, shower!
Father of mercies! round his precious head!
On his lone walks and on his thoughtful hour,
And the pure visions of his midnight bed,
Blessings be shed!
Father! I pray Thee not
For earthly treasure to that most beloved,
Fame, fortune, power;-oh! be his spirit proved
By these, or by their absence, at Thy will!
But let Thy peace be wedded to his lot,
Guarding his inner life from touch of ill,
With its dove-pinion still!
Let such a sense of Thee,
Thy watching presence, thy sustaining love,
His bosom guest inalienably be,
That wheresoe'er he move,
A heavenly light serene
Upon his heart and mien
May sit undimm'd! a gladness rest his own,
Unspeakable, and to the world unknown!
Such as from childhood's morning land of dreams,
Remember'd faintly, gleams,
Faintly remember'd, and too swiftly flown!
So let him walk with Thee,
Made by Thy spirit free;
And when Thou call'st him from his mortal place,
To his last hour be still that sweetness given,
That joyful trust! and brightly let him part,
With lamp clear burning, and unlingering heart,
Mature to meet in heaven
MOTHER'S LITANY BY THE SICK-BED OF A CHILD.
SAVIOUR that of woman born,
Mother-sorrow didst not scorn,
Thou, with whose last anguish strove
One dear thought of earthly love;
Low he lies, my precious child,
With his spirit wandering wild
From its gladsome tasks and play,
And its bright thoughts far away :-
Saviour, aid!
Pain sits heavy on his brow,
E'en though slumber seal it now;
Round his lip is quivering strife,
In his hand unquiet life;
Saviour! loose the burning chain
From his fever'd heart and brain,
Give, oh! give his young soul back
Into his own cloudless track!
Thou that said'st, "awake, arise!"
E'en when death had quench'd the eyes,
In this hour of grief's deep sighing,
When o'erwearied hope is dying!
Yet, oh make him thine, all thine,
Saviour! whether Death's or mine!
Yet, oh! pour on human love,
Strength, trust, patience, from above!
THE WORDS WRITTEN FOR A MELODY BY FELTON.
NIGHT sinks on the wave,
Hollow gusts are sighing,
Sea-birds to their cave
Through the gloom are flying.
Oh! should storms come sweeping,
Thou, in Heaven unsleeping,
O'er thy children vigil keeping,
Hear, hear, and save!
Stars look o'er the sea,
Few, and sad, and shrouded!
Faith our light must be,
When all else is clouded.
Thou, whose voice came thrilling,
Wind and billow stilling,
Speak once more! our prayer fulfilling
Power dwells with Thee!
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