Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

"Sleep soft, beloved!" we sometimes

say

But have no tune to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep:

But never doleful dreams again
Shall break the happy slumber when
"He giveth His beloved sleep."

O earth, so full of dreary noises!
O men, with wailing in your voices!
O delved gold, the wailers heap!
O strife, O curse, that o'er it fall!
God strikes a silence through you all,
And "giveth His beloved sleep."

His dews drop mutely on the hill,
His cloud above it saileth still,
Though on its slope men sow and reap,
More softly than the dew is shed,
Or cloud is floated overhead,
"He giveth His beloved sleep."

66

[blocks in formation]

For me, my heart that erst did go Most like a tired child at a show, That sees through tears the mummers leap,

Would now its wearied vision close, Would childlike on His love repose, Who "giveth His beloved sleep."

And friends, dear friends—when it shall be

That this low breath is gone from me,
And round my bier ye come to weep,
Let one, most loving of you all,
Say, "Not a tear must o'er her fall -
'He giveth His beloved sleep.'"

LITTLE MATTIE.

DEAD? Thirteen a month ago! Short and narrow her life's walk. Lover's love she could not know Even by a dream or talk:

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, In a tender trouble.

Therefore to this dog will I,
Tenderly, not scornfully,

Render praise and favor: With my hand upon his head, Is my benediction said,

Therefore and forever.

And because he loves me so, Better than his kind will do

Often, man, or woman, Give I back more love again Than dogs often take of men, Leaning from my Human.

CONSOLATION.

ALL are not taken! there are left behind

Living Beloveds, tender looks to bring,

And make the daylight still a happy

thing,

[blocks in formation]

And tender voices to make soft the Only free from flutterings

wind.

[blocks in formation]

Of loud mirth that scorneth meas

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

FIRST time he kissed me, he but only kissed

The fingers of this hand wherewith I write,

And ever since it grew more clean and white,

Slow to world-greetings. . quick with When the angels speak. A ring of its "Oh, list!" amethyst

I could not wear here plainer to my Than that first kiss. The second sight, The first, and sought the forehead, passed in height and half missed, Half falling on the hair. Oh, beyond meed!

That was the chrism of love, which love's own crown, With sanctifying sweetness, did precede.

The third upon my lips was folded down

In perfect, purple state! since when, indeed,

I have been proud and said, "My love, my own."

« VorigeDoorgaan »