THE WIDOW.

How bright was infant Spring-how gay her bloom,
With dew-drops on each flowery petal shining;
The Summer's charms dispell'd the hour of gloom,
And raised the heart from sorrow's deep repining.
And Autumn's morn, on balmy air unclosing,
Doth come; and still a robe of beauty wears,
Still are the dews on valleys green reposing:
Yet oh! how desolate my heart appears-
Torn with the voice of anguish, and the gush of tears!

The sear leaf hangs upon the willow bough—
The swallow to its home is fast returning;
Soon then will Nature droop her smiling brow,

Her faded beauty, and lost glory mourning.
Ah! then my heart, that throbs with grief so often,
Hath found a sympathy in moments fled;
The gentlest flower, that had such power to soften
The rising passion, bends its withered head;
And kindred claims with silence, and the honour'd dead.

How can I look on blessings, once mine own,
Without one sigh that they are all departed?

L

How can I name my comforts-quickly flown-
And not receive the wound, half broken-hearted?
To think of him, now in the cold grave sleeping,

Who shared my lot, my gladness, and my woe;
And bid mine eyes forget the task of weeping?—
No! rather let full floods of sadness flow:
I may not long, perhaps, a mourner dwell below.

My child looks in my face with tearful eye,
And asks the reason of my heart's despairing;
My spirit faints, I cannot tell him why,

I only point him to the garb I'm wearing!
Sweet boy, the solemn cloud that hangeth o'er me,
"Tis well thou canst not fully understand;

In thee, thy father's gaze, I see before me—
Thy calm smile tells me of a holier land,—
Hush then, my soul, a moment-give me love thine hand.

I know there are pure realms of endless joy, Where ne'er shall start the burning tear of sorrow; "Tis there, we all shall meet, my darling boy

E'en should that happy morning dawn to-morrow. Oh! then, my God, amid life's dread commotion, Speak peace-in meekness bid my soul adore; Calm may I wait, while on this furious ocean,

And know, thine hand can ev'ry bliss restore; "Till we, at last, shall dwell with thee, for evermore !