Of strong affection, in one healthful flow, On something all its own!-that kindly glow, Gives the glad soul its flowering time again, When, like the sunshine, freed.—And gentle cares Th' adopted Edith meekly gave for theirs Who lov'd her thus :-her spirit dwelt, the while, With the departed, and her patient smile Spoke of farewells to earth ;-yet still she pray'd, Ev'n o'er her soldier's lowly grave, for aid One purpose to fulfil, to leave one trace Brightly recording that her dwelling-place Had been among the wilds; for well she knew Which warn'd her hence. And now, by many a word Link'd unto moments when the heart was stirr'd, By the sweet mournfulness of many a hymn, Sung when the woods at eve grew hush'd and dim, By the persuasion of her fervent eye, All eloquent with child-like piety, By the still beauty of her life, she strove To win for heaven, and heaven-born truth, the love Was that soft-breathing influence to enchain And lets the sunbeam through :--her voice was made By faith and sorrow rais'd and purified, So to the Cross her Indian fosterers led, Until their prayers were one. When morning spread O'er the blue lake, and when the sunset's glow And when the quiet of the Sabbath time Sank on her heart, tho' no melodious chime -Now might she pass in hope, her work was done. And she was passing from the woods away; But her form wasted, and her fair young cheek A rose whose root was death. The parting sigh And the rich maple o'er her wanderings lone Its crimson leaves in many a shower had strown, Amidst the pines; and now a softer green Fring'd their dark boughs; for spring again had come, The sunny spring! but Edith to her home Was journeying fast. Alas! we think it sad To part with life, when all the earth looks glad In her young lovely things, when voices break Where graves are not, nor blights of changeful time, If here such glory dwell with passing blooms, Such golden sunshine rest around the tombs ? 'Twas early day, So thought the dying one. And sounds and odours with the breezes' play, Whispering of spring-time, thro the cabin-door, Unto her couch life's farewell sweetness bore; Then with a look where all her hope awoke, "My father!"-to the grey-hair'd chief she spoke"Know'st thou that I depart?"-"I know, I know," He answer'd mournfully, "that thou must go To thy belov'd, my daughter!"—" Sorrow not For me, kind mother!" with meek smiles once more She murmur'd in low tones; 66 one happy lot Awaits, us, friends! upon the better shore; For we have pray'd together in one trust, And lifted our frail spirits from the dust, To God, who gave them. Lay me by mine own, Thither I go. There will my sisters be, And the dead parents, lisping at whose knee My childhood's prayer was learn'd, the Saviour's prayer Which now ye know,—and I shall meet you there, Father, and gentle mother!-ye have bound The bruised reed, and mercy shall be found Fell on her settled face. Then, sad and slow, "Thou'rt passing hence," he sang, that warrior old, In sounds like those by plaintive waters roll'd. "Thou'rt passing from the lake's green side, And the hunter's hearth away; For the time of flowers, for the summer's pride, |