MORNING. ROBERT ROSE. FROM THE CHAPLET, 1841. WEEPING in dew-drops for the sun's delay, To nature's God ascends the matin lay, Ere furrow'd is his brow by care or age; It is worthy of remark, that Robert Rose was the first, and for some time the only person, who bought a copy of "Festus," when that wonderful poem was published in Manchester. The printer of the book was a curious character, and when informed of the tardy sale, he sought out the purchaser, and congratulated him on his superior and singular taste. ON SEEING A DECEASED INFANT. REV. WILLIAM O. B. PEABODY, BORN AT EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, IN 1799. AND this is death? how cold and still, And yet how lovely it appears; Too cold to let the gazer smile, But far too beautiful for tears. The sparkling eye no more is bright, And yet it is with strange delight But when I see the fair wide brow, That never look'd so fair as now, When life and health were laughing there, I wonder not that grief should swell And that strong passion once rebel That need not, cannot be suppress d. I wonder not that parents' eyes, In gazing thus, grow cold and dim, That burning tears and aching sighs Are blended with the funeral hymn : The spirit hath an earthly part, That weeps when earthly pleasure flies; And heaven would scorn the frozen heart That melts not when the infant dies. And yet why mourn? That deep repose Once more I gaze-and swift and far, Move up thy pathway in the sky : Then let the burthen'd heart be free, And parents calmly bend to see Thrice happy, that their infant bears To heaven no darkening stains of sin; And only breathed life's morning airs Before its evening storms begin. Farewell! I shall not soon forget! We yet may meet where seraphs dwell, Nor breathes that withering word-farewell! THE PILGRIM CHILD, ANONYMOUS. A STRANGER child, one winter eve, Knock'd at a cottage maiden's door; "A pilgrim at your hearth receive Hark! how the mountain-torrents roar !" The Spring tide came, and once again, With garlands crown'd, a laughing child Knock'd at the maiden's casement pane, And whisper'd "Let me in," and smiled. The casement soon was open'd wide The stars shone bright the bower above; And lo! the maiden's couch beside Stood Love! And smiles, and sighs, and kisses sweet, Came forth with corn, and fruit, and flowers. And Winter came, and hopes and fears But none were there to dry her tears, Came Love! |