GOLDEN DAYS. GOLDEN days-where are they? Pilgrims east and west Cry if we could find them We would pause and rest; We would pause and rest a little Golden days where are they? Ask of childhood's years, Still untouched by sorrow, Still undimmed by tears; Ah, they seek a phantom Future, Crowned with brighter, starry rays, Where are they, then, where are they Golden days? Golden days where are they? Has Love learnt the spell That will charm them hither, Near our hearth to dwell? Insecure are all her treasures, Restless is her anxious gaze: Where are they, then, where are they, — 604203 A Where are they, then, where are they — Golden days? EVENING HYMN. THE shadows of the evening hours Upon the fragrance of the flowers Before Thy throne, O Lord of heaven, We kneel at close of day; Look on Thy children from on high The sorrows of Thy servants, Lord, But let the incense of our prayers The brightness of the coming night Upon the darkness rolls; With hopes of future glory chase The shadows on our souls. A DREAM. Slowly the rays of daylight fade; The hopes in earthly love and joy, Slowly the bright stars, one by one, Within the Heavens shine: Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in Heaven Let peace, O Lord, Thy peace, O God, From midnight fears and perils, Thou Give us a respite from our toil, Calm and subdue our woes; Through the long day we suffer, Lord, ΙΟΙ A DREAM. ALL yesterday I was spinning, Sitting alone in the sun; And the dream that I spun was so lengthy, It lasted till day was done. I heeded not cloud or shadow That flitted over the hill, Or the humming-bees, or the swallows, Or the trickling of the rill. I took the threads for my spinning, And a flickering ray of sunlight The shadows grew longer and longer, But I could not leave my spinning, How the silent day had flown. At last the gray shadows fell round me, I went up the hill this morning To the place where my spinning lay, There was nothing but glistening dewdrops Remained of my dream to-day. MINISTERING ANGELS. ANGELS of light, spread your bright wings and keep Near me at morn; Nor in the starry eve, nor midnight deep, Leave me forlorn. LINKS WITH HEAVEN. From all dark spirits of unholy power Circle around me in each perilous hour, 103 From all foreboding thoughts and dangerous fears. Keep me secure; Teach me to hope, and through the bitterest tears Still to endure. If lonely in the road so fair and wide Then through a rougher, safer pathway guide. Should my Me day by day. heart faint at its unequal strife, O still be near! Shadow the perilous sweetness of this life Then leave me not alone in this bleak world, And at the end, with your bright wings unfurled, LINKS WITH HEAVEN. UR God in Heaven, from that holy place, OUR To each of us an Angel guide has given; But Mothers of dead children have more grace, For they give Angels to their God and Heaven |