Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly
Feelings had changed:
Love, by harsh evidence,
Thrown from its eminence;
Even God's providence
Seeming estranged.

Where the lamps quiver
So far in the river,

With many a light

From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,
Houseless by night.

The bleak wind of March
Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black flowing river:
Mad from life's history,
Glad to death's mystery,
Swift to be hurl'd—
Any where, any where
Out of the world!

3.

In she plunged boldly,
No matter how coldly
The rough river ran,-

Over the brink of it,
Picture it-think of it,
Dissolute Man!

Lave in it, drink of it,

Then, if you can!

THE LAY OF THE LABOURER

A SPADE! a rake! a hoe!

A pickaxe, or a bill!

A hook to reap, or a scythe to mow,

A flail, or what ye will—

And here's a ready hand
To ply the needful tool,

And skill'd enough, by lessons rough,
In Labour's rugged school.

To hedge, or dig the ditch,
To lop or fell the tree,

To lay the swarth on the sultry field,

Or plough the stubborn lea;

The harvest stack to bind,

The wheaten rick to thatch,

And never fear in my pouch to find
The tinder or the match.

To a flaming barn or farm
My fancies never roam;

The fire I yearn to kindle and burn
Is on the hearth of Home;

Where children huddle and crouch
Through dark long winter days,
Where starving children huddle and crouch,
To see the cheerful rays,

A-glowing on the haggard cheek,

And not in the haggard's blaze!