That the Angel of Death might see the sign, and pass over. Motionless, senseless, dying, he lay, and his spirit exhausted Seemed to be sinking down through infinite depths in the dark ness, Darkness of slumber and death, forever sinking and sinking. Then he beheld, in a dream, once more the home of his childhood; Green Acadian meadows, with sylvan rivers among them, Village, and mountain, and woodlands; and, walking under their shadow, As in the days of her youth, Evangeline rose in his vision. Vainly he strove to rise; and Evangeline, kneeling beside him, Sweet was the light of his eyes; but it suddenly sank into dark ness, As when a lamp is blown out by a gust of wind at a casement. All was ended now, the hope, and the fear, and the sorrow, I PASSING UNDER THE ROD. "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth." SAW the young bride, in her beauty and pride, Bedeck'd in her snowy array; And the bright flush of joy mantled high on her cheek, And with woman's devotion she laid her fond heart At the shrine of idolatrous love, And she anchor'd her hopes to this perishing earth, By the chain which her tenderness wove. But I saw when those heartstrings were bleeding and torn, And the chain had been sever'd in two, She had changed her white robes for the sables of grief, But the Healer was there, pouring balm on her heart, And he strengthen'd the chain he had broken in twain, There had whisper'd a voice-'t was the voice of her God, "I love thee-I love thee-pass under the rod!” I saw the young mother in tenderness bend And she kiss'd the soft lips as they murmur'd her name, Oh, sweet as a rose-bud encircled with dew, So fresh and so bright to the mother he seem'd, As he lay in his innocence there. But I saw when she gazed on the same lovely form, But paler and colder her beautiful boy, And the tale of her sorrow was told! But the Healer was there who had stricken her heart, To allure her to heaven he has placed it on high, And the mourner will sweetly obey: There had whisper'd a voice--'t was the voice of her God, "I love thee-I love thee-pass under the rod!” I saw too a father and mother who lean'd On the arms of a dear gifted son, And the star in the future grew bright to their gaze, And the fast-coming evening of life promised fair, And the starlight of love glimmered bright at the end, And I saw them again, bending low o'er the grave, Where their heart's dearest hope had been laid, But the Healer was there, and his arms were around, And he showed them a star in the bright upper world, 'Twas their star shining brilliantly there! They had each heard a voice-'t was the voice of their God, "I love thee-I love thee-pass under the rod!" SIGN SHYLOCK TO ANTONIO. IGNIOR Antonio, many a time and oft About my moneys, and my usances: Still have I borne it with a patient shrug; A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; "THE THE BOYS. HE boys are coming home to-morrow!" Whilst Lou and I shot flitting glances, Full of vague, unspoken dread. Had we hither come for quiet, Waking one with wild hallooing Stumbling over trailing flounces, Thumbing volumes gold and blue; Clamoring for sugared dainties, Tracking earth the passage through. These and other kindred trials Fancied we with woful sigh: "Those boys, those horrid boys, to-morrow!" Sadly whispered Lou and I. I wrote those lines one happy summer; We watched all day the opening door. They came "the boys!" Six feet in stature, Graceful, easy, polished men; I vowed to Lou, behind my knitting, For boyhood is a thing immortal To every mother's heart and eye; And sons are boys to her forever, Change as they may to you and I. To her, no line comes sharply marking Now by the window, still and sunny, For Lou and I are now her daughters- About their awkward ways, and noise. Lou springs up to meet a footfall; For steps on Beulah's golden street. But when she blesses Lou's beloved, Alway she speaks in gentle fashion THE TWO MAIDENS. NE came with light and laughing air, And cheek like opening blossom; Bright gems were twined amid her hair, And glittered on her bosom; And pearls and costly bracelets deck Her round, white arms, and lovely neck. |