With his father's sword in his red right hand, Lay a youthful Chief; but his bed was the ground, Drawn by the shine of the warrior's sword, He wrenched the hand with a giant's strength, He loosed his hold, and his swelling heart And he honoured the brave who died sword in hand "A soldier's death thou hast boldly died, Before I would take that sword from thine hand, "No loving smile awaits me now, He spoke, when lo, with wand of light "The holy Christ," He said, "am I, "And I Myself for thee will raise That those in yonder halls which blaze While yet He speaks, from earth to sky A golden tree had sprung, With stars in clust'ring radiancy Amid its branches hung. How near and yet how far it seemed, How bathed in floods of light! The child stood near and thought he dream'd, He thought he dreamed, while from above And gently stretched their arms in love They lift, they bear him from the ground, And now the outcast one has found With Christ his resting place. XVI. RECIPROCAL KINDNESS. COWPER. NDROCLES, from his injured lord in dread AND Of instant death, to Libya's desert fled; Tired with his toilsome flight, and parch'd with heat, He spied, at length, a cavern's cool retreat; But scarce had given to rest his weary frame, When, hugest of his kind, a lion came: He roar'd, approaching: but the savage din The plaintive murmurs changed, arrived within; And with expressive looks, his lifted paw Presenting, aid implored from whom he saw. The fugitive, through terror at a stand, Mute with asthonishment the assembly gaze: An enemy; she bids him spare a friend. B XVII. THE PUREST PEARL. ESIDE the church door, a-weary and alone, A blind women sat on the cold door-stone, The wind was bitter, the snow fell fast, The bells were ringing the hour of prayer, Some were hoping their souls to save, And some were thinking of death and the grave, And, alas! they had no time to heed The poor soul asking for charity's meed; And some were blooming with beauty's grace, But closely muffled in veils of lace; They saw not the sorrow, nor heard the mean. Of her who sat on the cold door-stone. At last came one of noble name, By the city counted the wealthiest dame, And the pearls that o'er her neck were strung, Then followed a maiden, young and fair, But her dress was thin, and scanty, and worn, But I give you my prayers, good friend," said she, "And sure, I know God listens to me." On the poor white hand, so shrunken and small, The blind woman let a tear-drop fall, Then kissed it, and said to the weeping girl, "It is you who have given the purest pearl." XVIII. THE MAIN TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. COLTON. LD Ironsides at anchor lay, In the harbor of Mahon; In sport, up shroud and rigging ran, A shudder shot through every vein,- No hold had he above, below: Alone he stood in air: To that fair height none dared to go― We, gazed, but not a man could speak,- In groups, with pallid brow and cheek, The atmosphere grew thick and hot, As riveted unto the spot, Stood officers and crew. The father came on deck:-he gasped, "Oh, God; thy will be done!" Then suddenly a rifle grasped, And aimed it at his son. "Jump, far out, boy, into the wave, Jump, or I fire," he said; "That only chance your life can save; Jump, jump, boy!" He obeyed. He sunk,-he rose, he lived,—he moved,— On board we hailed the lad beloved, With many a manly shout, His father drew, in silent joy, Those wet arms around his neck, And folded to his heart his boy, Then fainted on the deck. XIX.--THE SAILOR BOY'S DREAM. N slumbers of midnight the sailor-boy lay, His hammock swung loose at the sport of the wind; But watch-worn and weary, his cares flew away, And visions of happiness danced o'er his mind. He dreamed of his home, of his dear native bowers, And pleasures that waited on life's merry morn; While memory stood sideways half covered with flowers, And restored every rose, but secreted its thorn. Then fancy her magical pinions spread wide, The jessamine clambers in flowers o'er the thatch, A father bends o'er him with looks of delight; And the lips of the boy in a fond kiss unite With the lips of the sister his bosom holds dear. The heart of the sleeper beats high in his breast; "O God! thou hast blest me,-I ask for no more." |