Frank Leslie's Lady's Magazine/Volume 25/Number 3/Night-Watchers

Night-Watchers.

---

Through the night's black curtain the gold stars peep,
When the tired world should be hush'd in sleep
Yet some are weary, and some are wan,
And some are fearful to look upon!

You may see—if you will—in every park
Shame-stamp'd, cowering forms in the dark—
Cowering low from the wind and the rain,
Cowering conscious of sin's deep stain.

Many are youthful, and some are fair,
(O heaven, how thine image is fallen there!)
Childhood's fresh mark on some is set,
Not quite beaten out of their features yet!

Have ye eyes, my brothers, and see not this!
Do ye hug to your souls your own sense of bliss?
Have ye ears, and hear not this wail of woe?
Have ye hearts, and ye let this black curse grow?

The wreck'd ship strains on the breakers toss'd;
The die is thrown, and the cast is lost.
God help the fallen! No mercy here
For the one false step that brings many a tear.

The scales are unequal, and one sinks fast;
But the balance is sure to come right at last.
The Great Judge shall measure the measure then,
That proud man withholds from fellow-men!