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POEMS.
141

Pour'd forth a sacred hymn in warbling tone,—
    One beauteous boy was sporting at her side,
And one in cradle dreams, like bud new-blown,
    While o'er her varying cheek in smiles would glide
A guardian angel's love, blent with a mother's pride.

At evening hour I look'd,—but wo was there!
    On that young breast the spoiler's hand was laid,
Love's fondest hopes were lost in deep despair,
    And horror brooded there in darkest shade;
The dews of pain had drench'd that sunny braid
    Of clustering hair and dimm'd the eye's bright flame,
While clinging to the hand that lent no aid
    Those cherub infants call'd their mother's name,
And wept in wondering wo, that no fond answer came.

Again I look'd,—and in the house of God
    Where late she stood, her solemn vows to pay,
Choosing the narrow path her Saviour trod,
    With marble brow the lovely sleeper lay,—
They bare her gently to her bed of clay,
    And smooth'd the turf while tears fell down like rain,
But the young mother to a brighter day
    Soar'd high,—above the flight of care and pain
To wear the spotless robe in her Redeemer's train.





A VISION.


Light pour'd upon me like a rushing flood,
And all was glorious.—The brief, trembling ties
That bound me grossly to this mouldering earth