So closer and closer gather
Round the red and crackling light; And rejoice (while the wind is blowing) We are safe and warm to-night. Hark to the voice of the wind!
ET me count my treasures,
All my soul holds dear,
Given me by dark spirits
Whom I used to fear.
Through long days of anguish,
And sad nights, did Pain
Forge my shield, Endurance,
Bright and free from stain!
Doubt, in misty caverns,
'Mid dark horrors sought,
Till my peerless jewel,
Faith, to me she brought.
Sorrow, that I wearied
Should remain so long,
Wreathed my starry glory,
The bright Crown of Song.
Strife, that racked my spirit
Without hope or rest,
Left the blooming flower,
Patience, on my breast.
Suffering, that I dreaded,
Ignorant of her charms, Laid the fair child, Pity, Smiling, in my arms.
So I count my treasures,
Stored in days long past,
And I thank the givers,
Whom I know at last!
HINE, ye stars of heaven,
On a world of pain!
See old Time destroying
All our hoarded gain;
All our sweetest flowers,
Every stately shrine,
All our hard-earned glory,
Every dream divine!
Shine, ye stars of heaven,
On the rolling years!
See how Time, consoling,
Dries the saddest tears,
Bids the darkest storm-clouds
Pass in gentle rain,
While upspring in glory
Flowers and dreams again!
Shine, ye stars of heaven,
On a world of fear!
See how Time, avenging,
Bringeth judgment here:
Weaving ill-won honors
To a fiery crown;
Bidding hard hearts perish;
Casting proud hearts down.
Shine, ye stars of heaven,
On the hours' slow flight!
See how Time, rewarding,
Gilds good deeds with light;
Pays with kingly measure;
Brings earth's dearest prize;
Or, crowned with rays diviner,
Bids the end arise!
HEREFORE dwell so sad and lonely
By the desolate sea-shore,
With the melancholy surges
Beating at your cottage door?
"You shall dwell beside the castle Shadowed by our ancient trees; And your life shall pass on gently,
Cared for, and in rest and ease.
"Lady, one who loved me dearly
Sailed for distant lands away;
And I wait here his returning
Hopefully from day to day.
"To my door I bring my spinning,
Watching every ship I see;
Waiting, hoping, till the sunset
Fades into the western sea.
"After sunset, at my casement,
Still I place a signal light ;
He will see its well-known shining
Should his ship return at night.
"Lady, see your infant smiling,
With its flaxen curling hair,
I remember when your mother
Was a baby just as fair.
"I was watching then, and hoping: Years have brought great change to all; To my neighbors in their cottage,
To you nobles at the hall.
for I am waiting,
And the years have fled so fast, I must look at you to tell me
That a weary time has past!
"When I hear a footstep coming
years have fled
Yet amid a thousand others,
I shall know his quick, light tread.
"When I hear (to-night it may be)
Some one pausing at my door,
I shall know the gay, soft accents,
Heard and welcomed oft before!
"So each day I am more hopeful,
He may come before the night;
Every sunset I feel surer
He must come ere morning light.
"Then I thank you, noble lady,
But I cannot do your will:
Where he left me he must find me,
Waiting, watching, hoping, still ! "
THE CRADLE-SONG OF THE POOR.
USH! I cannot bear to see thee
Stretch thy tiny hands in vain ;
Dear, I have no bread to give thee,
Nothing, child, to ease thy pain!
When God sent thee first to bless me,
Proud, and thankful too, was I;
Now, my darling, I, thy mother,
Almost long to see thee die.
Sleep, my darling, thou art weary;
God is good, but life is dreary.
I have watched thy beauty fading,
And thy strength sink day by day,
Soon, I know, will Want and Fever
Take thy little life away.
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