THE SLEEP. ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. Of all the thoughts of God that are Along the Psalmist's music deep, For gift or grace surpassing this— "He giveth His beloved sleep?" What would we give to our belov❜d? The poet's star-tuned harp to sweep— What do we give to our belov❜d? A little dust, to overweep— And bitter memories, to make The whole earth blasted for our sake! "He giveth His beloved sleep!" "Sleep soft, belov'd!" we sometimes say, But have no power to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep; But never doleful dream again Shall break the happy slumber, when "He giveth His beloved sleep!" O earth, so full of dreary noises! O men, with wailing in your voices! O delved gold, the wailer's heap! O strife, O curse, that o'er it fall! God makes a silence through you all, And "giveth His beloved sleep!" His dews drop mutely on the hill His cloud above it saileth still, Though on its slope men toil and reap! More softly than the dew is shed, Or cloud is floated overhead, "He giveth His beloved sleep!" Yea! men may wonder while they scan In such a rest his heart to keep; For me, my heart that erst did go That sees through tears the jugglers leap, Would now its wearied vision close, Would childlike on His love repose, Who "giveth His beloved sleep!" And friends !-dear friends !-when it shall be That this low breath is gone from me, And round my bier ye come to weep, Let one, most loving of you all, Say, "Not a tear must o'er her fall, He giveth His beloved sleep!" WEEP NOT. DR HUIE. "WEEP not," the Saviour gently said, When o'er his lifeless daughter's head 66 66 The mournful Jairus bent; Weep not," He said, as on the bier Nain's hapless widow leant. Weep not," He said, while Martha clung These melting accents fell : "O Lord, hadst Thou been by his side, Thy friend, my brother, had not died, For Thou didst love him well!" Weep not," He said, when, 'midst the throng, Who urged His tortured frame along To Calvary's bloody steep, He heard the sounds of female woe, "On me no more your tears bestow, Yourselves, your children weep!" Weep not," with bland and healing power, When earthly props decay; And lifts the thoughts to realms of rest, Where joys eternal cheer the breast, And tears are wiped away. "Weep not," my brother! though the eye, Which sparkled most while thou wert by, 66 Is closed in death's deep gloom; My sister! "weep not," though the voice, Which bade thy youthful ear rejoice, Is silent in the tomb. Weep not," o'er fond affection's urn! Then though creation's self should die, Shall endless life be thine! (Original.) JESUS AT THE WELL.-JOHN IV. 6. A. R. C. SAVIOUR Divine! when Thou didst come Though starry heavens were framed by Thee, A faint and weary man. How hard Thy freely chosen lot In this blind world that knew Thee not, To glory Thou art risen again, And teach us 'twas for our relief Thy gentle form was marred with grief, Thy "locks were filled with dew," |