240 A SHINING LINK.
As it answered " No " To the " ought not" done, and the undone "ought."
Still watching this, I became perplexed,
As the eerie thing
Kept its steady swing, *
Till I heard no longer the psalm or text.
When turning softly aside at last
To the rich man s pew,
All at once I knew From whence the will-o -the-wisp was cast.
For a diamond shone in the shaking ear
Of a palsied dame,
Like a living flame Prisoned for ever within a tear.
Anew I watched with a deeper care,
Praying One to bless,
When it nodded "Yes" To the echoed cry of the sinner s prayer.
Asking strength from Him for the poor old dame,
When the light said " Nay "
In its strange wise way, As the preacher spake of the creature s claim.
So up to the edge of my book it crept,
Like an elfin light,
Until out of sight The pendent spark in the tear unwept.
�� �
