Due for thy liberal hand, thy frugal mind, Thy pitying eye, thy voice for ever kind, For tenderness, truth, confidence all these: My heaven-blest vine, that hast thy tendrils twined Round one who loves thee, though his strain be rude, Accept thy best reward-thy husband's gratitude. My precious babe, my guileless little girl, With young intelligence, and infant grace; Must evil taint thee-must the world inthral Thine innocent mind, poor harmless little thing? Ah, yes! thou too must taste the cup of wo, Thy heart must learn to grieve, as others do, Thy soul must feel life's many-pointed sting: But fear not, darling child, for well I know Whatever cares may meet thee, ills befall, Thy God, thy father's God, shall lead thee safe thro' all. ON THE BIRTH OF LITTLE MARY. Lo, thou hast crowned me with another blessing, Clusters in beauty round my cottage door, Comes to mine ark with peace, and plenty for my store. O, happy home! O, bright and cheerful hearth! Look round with me, my lover, friend, and wife, On these fair faces we have lit with life, And in the perfect blessing of their birth, Help me to live our thanks for so much heaven on earth. DAYS GONE BY. THOUGH We charge to-day with fleetness, Though we dread to-morrow's sky, Yes, though Time has laid his finger Oft as Memory's glance is ranging Sorrowful should I be, and lonely, Cease, fond heart; to thee are given Faith lifts off the sable curtain Hope accounts her prize as certain, Love, in grateful adoration, Bids distrust and sorrow fly, And with glad anticipation Calms regret for days gone by. THE CRISIS. HUSH!-O Heaven! a moment more, Swiftly from her heaving breast Thus, the face of love can win CHARITY. FAIR Charity! thou rarest, best, and brightest! Fain would he be frank-hearted, generous, cheerful, But knowledge of his kind has made him fearful All are not friends whom friends he longs to call; For prudence makes men cold, and misery tearful, And interest bids them rise upon his fall, And while they seek their selfish own to cherish, They leave the wounded stag alone to perish. |