Page images
PDF
EPUB

On into twilight within walls of stone,
Then to the place of trial; and alone,
Alone before his judges in array

Stands for his life: there, on that awful day,
Counsel of friends-all human help denied-
All but from her who sits the pen to guide,
Like that sweet Saint who sate by RUSSELL'S side
Under the Judgment-seat.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][merged small]

But guilty men

Triumph not always. To his hearth again,
Again with honour to his hearth restored,
Lo, in the accustomed chair and at the board,
Thrice greeting those who most withdraw their claim,
(The lowliest servant calling by his name)

He reads thanksgiving in the eyes of all,
All met as at a holy festival!

-On the day destined for his funeral!

Lo, there the Friend, who, entering where he lay,
Breathed in his drowsy ear " Away, away!
Take thou my cloak-Nay, start not, but obey-
Take it and leave me." And the blushing Maid,
Who thro' the streets as thro' a desert strayed;
And, when her dear, dear Father passed along,
Would not be held-but, bursting through the throng,
Halberd and battle-axe-kissed him o'er and o'er;
Then turned and went-then sought him as before,
Believing she should see his face no more!
And oh, how changed at once-no heroine here,
But a weak woman worn with grief and fear,
Her darling Mother! "Twas but now she smiled;
And now she weeps upon her weeping child!
-But who sits by, her only wish below
At length fulfilled-and now prepared to go?
His hands on hers-as through the mists of night,
She gazes on him with imperfect sight;

Her glory now, as ever her delight!

}

[graphic]

To her, methinks, a second Youth is given;
The light upon her face a light from Heaven!

An hour like this is worth a thousand passed
In pomp or ease 'Tis present to the last!
Years glide away untold-'Tis still the same!
As fresh, as fair as on the day it came!

And now once more where most he loved to be, In his own fields-breathing tranquillityWe hail him not less happy, Fox, than thee! Thee at St. Anne's so soon of Care beguiled, Playful, sincere, and artless as a child!

Thee, who wouldst watch a bird's nest on the spray, Through the green leaves exploring, day by day.

[graphic][ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »