How my heart seems shining, bathed in her pure light—

In it no dark comes, in it no black night.

Thus, the hours pass sweetly, for the angels bring

Rest unto my spirit-dreaming in the swing!

295

-Mrs. Jacob Martin.

WHO WOULD NOT BE?

TUNE-"I WANT TO BE AN ANGEL."

Who would not be a Radical!

Since they alone have wrought

The greatest transformations
For which men ever fought?

Who would not be a Radical!
Since due to them alone
The greatest earthly blessings
Mankind have ever known?

Who would not be a Radical!
With pulses strong and warm,
And join the mighty army
That ushers in reform?

Who would not be a Radical!

Though all the world deride,

And 'stead of drifting with the stream,

Row up against the tide?

Then let us all be Radicals!

And join the restless throng

Who seek to usher in the Right

And usher out the Wrong. -C. Fred Falkner.

296

MAY.

Bosomed in the valleys of fragrance,

Pillowed on mountains of green;

Waking in half-opened flowers,

Springs May, through their splendor and sheen. Her form is shining with dew-drops,

Her eyes are moistened with love; We hail her coming, and call her Summer's sweet carrier-dove.

See her face radiant with kindness,

And hear her low voice 'mid the trees;
Drink in her breath's luscious nectar

As it floats on the winsome breeze.
She's here from the couch of morning,
Preceding the slumbering day.
Here, on the lap of creation,

Rests the beautiful maiden, May,

She speaks to the sleeping flowers,
She wakes them with sunny caress;
She comes to perfect the spring time;

She comes to be blest, and to bless.
Lightly she shines o'er the meadows,
Blossoms she drops on their breast;
Gently her musical rustlings

Are rocking the mocking-bird's nest.

Here, in her tenderest beauty,

Her promises bloom into truth;
Here, from the heart of dame Nature,
May, in her innocent youth,
Month in whose infant sweetness
My own life bloomed out here.

Fairer and dearer art thou to me

Than each other child of the year!

297

-Mrs. Jacob Martin.

INVITATION TO NATURE'S GOSPEL FEAST.

C.M.

OLD HYMN, BY MRS. STEELE, NATURALIZED.

Ye starving, superstitious souls,

Behold a royal feast,

Where Nature spreads her bounteous store

For each accepting guest!

She stands with open loving arms,

And bids you freely come,

C.M.

Nor fear old dogmas' false alarms;
Behold! how wide the room!

Come then, and with us freely taste
The.joys of light and love;
And, nourished by the sweet repast,
In manly fullness move.

Then each expanding soul shall voice
With an exulting tone,

The songs of those who now rejoice
With joy so long unknown.

Thy waking spirit's opening eyes.
Shall then in Nature see

Thy God affording full supplies
To all mankind and thee.

298

SPEAK GENTLY.

Speak gently, it is better far

To rule by love than fear:

-Caleb S. Weeks.

Speak gently, let no harsh word mar.
The good we may do here.

Speak gently to the young for they
Will have enough to bear;

Pass through this life as best they may,
'Tis full of anxious care.

Speak gently to the aged one,

Grieve not the careworn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let them in peace depart.

Speak gently to the erring ones,-
They must have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
O, win them back again!

Speak gently,-'tis a little thing,
Dropped in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy, that it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.

-Selected.

One by one the sands are flowing,
One by one the moments fall;
Some are coming, some are going,
Strive not thou to grasp them all.

One by one thy duties wait thee,
Let thy whole strength go to each,
Let no future dreams elate thee,

Learn thou first what those can teach.

One by one (bright gifts from heaven,)
Joys are sent thee here below;
Take them readily when given,
Ready, too, to let them go.

One by one thy griefs shall meet thee,
Do not fear an armed band;
One will fade as others greet thee,
Shadows passing through the land.

Do not look at life's long sorrow,

See how small each moment's pain;
Truth will help thee for to-morrow,
Every day begin again.

Every hour that fleets so slowly,
Has its task to do or bear:
Luminous the crown, and holy,
If thou set each gem with care.

Do not linger with regretting,
Or for passion hours despond;
Nor, the daily toil forgetting,
Look too eagerly beyond.

Hours are golden links, life's token,
Reaching heaven; but one by one,
Take them lest the chain be broken

Ere the pilgrimage be done,

-Selected.

ETERNAL JUSTICE.

Tha man is thought a knave or fool,
Or bigot plotting crime,

Who for the advancement of his kind
Is wiser than his time.

For him the hemlock shall distill;

For him the ax be bared:

For him the gibbet shall be built,

For him the stake prepared:
Him shall the scorn and wrath of men,
Pursue with deadly aim;

And malice, envy, spite and lies

Shall desecrate his name.

But truth shall conquer at the last,
For round and round we run,
And ever the right comes uppermost,
And ever is justice done.