Page:Scenes and Hymns of Life.pdf/22

Edith.Herbert! I have cast
The snare of proffer'd mercy from my soul,
This very hour. God to the weak hath given
Victory o'er life and death!—The tempter's price
Hath been rejected—Herbert, I must die.

Herbert. O Edith! Edith! I, that led thee first
From the old path wherein thy fathers trod—
I, that received it as an angel's task,
To pour the fresh light on thine ardent soul,
Which drank it as a sun-flower—I have been
Thy guide to death!

Edith.To Heaven! my guide to Heaven,
My noble and my blessed! Oh! look up,
Be strong, rejoice, my Herbert! But for thee
How could my spirit have sprung up to God,
Through the dark cloud which o'er its vision hung,
The night of fear and error? thy dear hand
First raised that veil, and shewed the glorious world
My heritage beyond—Friend! love and friend!