52 TO LAURA. By the strong spirit's discipline, "Her lot is on thee," lovely child- I fear thy gentle loveliness, The silver stars may purely shine, The waters taintless flow But they who kneel at woman's shrine Ye may fling back the gift again, What shall preserve thee, beautiful child? Bring thee, a spirit undefiled, To lead thee up-to Him? He, who himself was "undefiled:" With him we trust thee, beautiful child! WILLIS. A MOTHERS WISH. 53 33 A MOTHERS WISH. WHILE two sweet, stainless springs alone I ask not Beauty's dazzling dower, I ask no plumed and jewelled crown, Where rank and wealth their moment blaze; No transient meed of vain renown, No length of perishable days. No! I entreat no mortal boon! No joys that pass with passing years; I supplicate enlightening grace To guide thy feet in wisdom's way, 54 A MOTHERS WISH. May cold distrust and slighted love Float peacefully along the tide, Till, all secure, thy spirit shine REV. HENRY THOMPSON. THE BUTTERFLY. 55 THE BUTTERFLY. THE shades of night at distance fled, O'er wood and lawn, o'er heath and hill. From floating clouds of pearly hue Fell, in light drops, the recent shower, When, bursting forth to life and light Launched in full splendor on the day! Her slender form, ethereal, light, Her velvet-textured wings infold, With all the rainbow's colors bright, And dropt with spots of burnished gold Trembling with joy, awhile she stood, And balanced oft her broidered wings, 1 56 THE BUTTERFLY. Then on her venturous journey springs, * * * * * * * * But hark! while thus I musing stand, And, breathing from a viewless band, "Shall the poor worm that shocks thy sight, The humblest form in Nature's train, Thus rise again to life and light, And yet the emblem teach in vain ? "And shalt thou, numbered with the dead, On thee a beam of brighter glow? "Is this the bound of power divine- "Go, mortal! in thy reptile state, Enough to know to thee is given; Go, and the joyful truth relate, Frail child of earth, high heir to heaven!" ROSCOE. |