And eyes half veil'd, in thine own soul absorb'd,
As in thy watchings, e'er I sink to sleep;
And I will give the bending flower-like grace
Of that soft form, and the still sweetness throned
On that pale brow, and in that quivering smile
Of voiceless love, a life that shall outlast
Their delicate earthly being. There! thy head
Bow'd down with beauty, and with tenderness,
And lowly thought-even thus-my own Teresa!
Oh the quick-glancing radiance and bright
bloom

That once around thee hung, have melted now
Into more solemn light-but holier far,

And dearer, and yet lovelier in mine eyes,

Than all that summer flush! For by my couch,
In patient and serene devotedness,

Thou hast made those rich hues and sunny smiles
Thine offering unto me. Oh ! I may give
Those pensive lips, that clear Madonna brow,
And the sweet earnestness of that dark eye,
Unto the canvass ;-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 loose thee-thou that hast been still The tenderest-best

Let

Eugene. Weep, weep not thus, beloved! 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 boon-
Our 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

Oh, thus receive

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, un

changed

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!

MOTHER'S LITANY BY THE SICKBED
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-
Hear and aid!

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-
Aid! oh, aid!

Saviour! loose the burning chain
From his fever'd heart and brain,
Give, oh! give his young soul back,
Into its own cloudless track!

Hear and aid!

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!
Hear and aid!

Yet, oh! make him thine, all thine,
Saviour! whether death's or mine!
Yet, oh! pour on human love,
Strength, trust, patience, from above!
Hear and aid!

NIGHT HYMN AT SEA.

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!

FEMALE CHARACTERS OF SCRIPTURE.

A SERIES OF SONNETS.

*

"Your tents are desolate; your stately steps,
Of all their choral dances, have not left
One trace beside the fountains: your full cup
Of gladness and of trembling, each alike
Is broken; yet, amidst undying things,
The mind still keeps your loveliness, and still

All the fresh glories of the early world
Hang round you in the spirit's pictured halls,
Never to change!"

I. INVOCATION.

As the tired voyager on stormy seas

Invokes the coming of bright birds from shore, To waft him tidings, with the gentler breeze, Of dim sweet woods that hear no billows roar; * Suggested by the perusal of Mrs Sandford's Woman.