O Noble heart! so gentle, kind; Thy life, like a brief summer wind, Hath passed away, And left me here on earth to mourn Thine early flight to that sweet bourne Where angels stay. There may my soul from slumber ’wake When heaven and earth their concord break, And Time is o’er; When Christ, in his enthroned array, Proclaims aloud his Advent Day From shore to shore! There may we meet at last and find (Mind, heart, and soul for aye entwined) Eternal rest; There tread together Eden’s bowers— The land of life and light and flowers— With souls as blest. Brief was thy sojourn here, sweet girl; And life, with all its glittering whirl, Soon passed thee by; Leaving the flower to droop unseen, The world rolled on, not heeding e’en Thy dying cry. In that dark hour, thy fleeting soul, Regardless of Death’s stern control, Broke forth in song; And as the falt’ring numbers came, By angels fair thy hallowed fame Was borne along. O well-beloved! enseamed in light, If thou canst gaze upon my night Of lonely grief: Behold me now, and mark the tears That still must flow through future years Without relief. Yet the dread tomb which steals away From brightest gem its purest ray— The Life sublime! Must know we can its power defy, For thou art safe beyond the sky, And for all time. Yea; thou art safe with that great God Who rules Creation with a rod Of love and light; The Being of a glorious mien, Whose majesty is Grand, Serene, And Infinite! Oh, better far thou shouldst be there, Removed from this world’s doubt and care— A gloomy train; Full-veiled in peerless robes of light, Enthroned where comes nor storm, nor night, Nor grief, nor pain. And could I gaze above and see The glow of immortality That veils thy soul, And feel thy holy presence near, To guard me from ungodly fear, And its control: Then should I bless the hidden blow That laid my darling’s bosom low Within the grave; And own that Love’s immortal Hand Did guide the swift unerring brand Which struck to save. J. A. E. The Conductors of Chambers’s Journal beg to direct the attention of Contributors to the following notice: 1st. All communications should be addressed to the ‘Editor, 339 High Street, Edinburgh.’ 2d. To insure the return of papers that may prove ineligible, postage-stamps should in every case accompany them. 3d. Manuscripts should bear the author’s full Christian name, surname, and address, legibly written. 4th. MS. should be written on one side of the leaf only. 5th. Poetical offerings should be accompanied by an envelope, stamped and directed. Unless Contributors comply with the above rules, the Editor cannot undertake to return ineligible papers. Printed and Published by W. & R. Chambers, 47 Paternoster Row, London, and 339 High Street, Edinburgh. All Rights Reserved. |
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