NOR peace nor ease the heart can know, Turns at the touch of Joy or Woe, But, turning trembles too. Mrs. Greville. THE MESSENGER BIRD. THOU art come from the spirits' land, thou bird! Thou art come from the spirits' land! Through the dark pine grove let thy voice be heard, And tell of the shadowy band! We know that the bowers are green and fair In the light of that summer shore, And we know that the friends we have lost are there; They are there, and they weep no more! And we know they have quenched their fever's thirst, For there must the stream in its freshness burst, And we know that they will not be lured to earth By the feast, or the dance, or the song of mirth, But tell us, thou bird of the solemn strain! We call, and they answer not again — Do they love - do they love us yet? A COUNTRY LIFE. We call them far through the silent night, And they speak not from cave or hill; 205 Mrs. Hemans. TO A CHILD. HE wilding rose, sweet as thyself, THE And new-cropp'd daisies, are thy treasure; I'd gladly part with worldly pelf, To taste again thy youthful pleasure! But yet, for all thy merry look, Thy frisks and wiles, the time is coming, When thou shalt sit in cheerless nook, The weary spell or hornbook thumbing. Well! let it be, through weal and woe, And thou a thing of hope and change. A COUNTRY LIFE. Joanna Baillie HOW sacred and how innocent How free from tumult, discontent, This was the first and happiest life, 'T was here the poets were inspir'd Here taught the multitude; And brave they here with honor fir'd And civilized the rude. The golden age did entertain The thoughts of ruling and of gain Them that do covet only rest, Opinion is the rate of things, From hence our peace doth flow; I have a better fate than kings, Because I think it so. When all the stormy world doth roar, How unconcerned am I ! I cannot fear to tumble lower, Who never could be high. GOD'S SUNBEAM. Secure in these unenvied walls, I think not on the state, And pity no man's case that falls, Silence and innocence are safe, That do the world subdue. 207 Katherine Philips. GOD'S SUNBEAM. EYES, that with holy tears are dim, Shine, when God's sunbeam on them plays; In stricken souls angelic lays Are rising like a happy hymn. And friends beloved, unto whom Sorrow hath come with keenest sting Shall bring the shade and not the gloom. Mrs. Silsbee. WHY thus longing, thus forever sighing H. W. Sewall. A LIFE OF LIBERTY. BRIERS beset my every path, Which call for patient care; An earnest need for prayer; But a lowly heart that leans on Thee, In service which Thy love appoints My secret heart is taught "the truth," A life of self-renouncing love Is a life of liberty. Anna L. Waring. A LIFE. SACRED burden is the life ye bear; BETTER trust all and be deceived, And weep that trust and that deceiving, |