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THE HOUR OF PARTING.

WHEN call'd to leave those whom we love,
While doubts, and hopes, and tears are nigh;
Then trembling fear, life's frailties prove,
And murmurs in each deep-drawn sigh!
It tells, that ere another sun,

Shall light our steps, and sink to rest;
Their feet o'er sorrow's path may run,

And anguish fill that beating breast.

And then we look on those we love!
And fain would stay to calm their mind;
Yet still, our feet are doom'd to rove-
To meet each stormy-faithless wind.
And then a silent strug'ling tear,

Flows to relieve our bosom's pain:-
Then smiles return, for hope draws near,
To whisper-we may meet again!'

So, when life's flickering spark grows dim,
Our kindred friends stand near awhile;
And would invoke the prayer and hymn,
To bid our parting spirits smile:

For hope is there, to make death sweet,
And our cold grave a downy rest;
Hope that together we may meet

In Heaven, where hearts are purely blest!

CHILDHOOD.

COME Muse, for thine it must be now,
While o'er thee springs the tide of joy ;
To picture childhood's smiling brow,
That life of sweets without alloy !

Art, cannot tell the pleasing tale,
Nor sum the pleasures of that day;
For clouds flit o'er the sunny vale,
And hide from view each shining ray.

And backward, too, we look in vain,
To find unsoil'd its title-page;
Some sad remembrance issues pain,
To turn our feet from youth's fair age.

And why do we no longer dwell,

On childhood's once delightful strain? Nor trace the path we loved so well

Our own bright meadows o'er again?

Ah! there's a pang, betwixt that time

And now, nor conscience rests at ease;— A moan, that drowns the sweetest chime, In childhood's song upon the breeze.

Yet, why should sad regret here come,
Though ours has been a thorny road?
We know, above, we have a home,

Free from sin's ever painful load.

We know, our Father reigns on high,

Whose smiles can quell our doubts and fears;

He bids us mount his upper sky,

And leave this sorrowing vale of tears!

THE AQUA-MARINE.

"Merchants of the East send us fine specimens of this beautiful jewel, and from its lovely green colour, our sailors call it 'The Aqua- Marine,' or "The Water of the Sea.'-OLD TALE.

WATER of Ocean!-that is thy name-
Worthy art thou of the noblest fame;
Thine is a gleam more beautiful far,
Than evening's tint, or the morning star;
Thou art a token of plighted love,

Deck'd in a vesture from glory above

Heaven's eye only, is brighter than thine;
Gem of the dark wave's hidden mine!

Water of Ocean!-listen to me

Tellest thou aught of the boundless sea?
What knowest thou of the yawning deep—
What hast thou seen where the billows leap?—
Where petrels scream, and the storm's fair child,
Is the foam that rides on whirlwinds wild?
Hast thou not there heard a voice of pain?—
Tell me, thou drop of the mighty main.

"Through the strong one's caves, 'twas mine to roam,
O'er the sea-bird's nest, and the dolphin's home,
On pinions I've flown, with black night-clouds;
I've bathed the tall ship's slippery shrouds ;
I've dashed from her prow, as she strode along,
'Midst roaring waves, and the mariner's song!—
In the red sun's beam I've danced, while joy
Hath glowed in the breast of the sailor-boy.

"And I have been where the briny deep,
Holds many brave sons, in a long cold sleep;
I've traversed the regions of death alone,
And ventured on high to the eagle's throne !
I've dwelt on the bosom of earth awhile-

I've seen her proud guests, and each lofty smile:

But I could tell more, of the fathomless sea, Than boasting man knoweth of wealth, or me:Array'd in my simple, majestic, mien,

I whisper of worlds that eye hath not seen!"

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP.

"Enduring love must come from Heaven."

WHY should I touch my lyre to tell
Of joys that soon must flee?
Why should I speak of friendship's ties,
Or sing of love to thee?

But that thy gentle heart might seek
Those never fading flowers,

Which angels cull to bind their brows,
In heav'nly shining bowers :-
That thou should'st wrap within thy soul
The flame that never dies;

But from the realms of perfect bliss,

Immortal food supplies.

For this is great salvation's love!
And this alone, can cheer

Thy drooping heart in after years,
When darkness draweth near:
This only can support thy mind,
To smile at danger's side-

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