horrow thou shalt die. warmth upon the shore, asured path is all gone o'er; with strain and sigh, hed the truth; and I, was destined for." rt thou then so much more that thou shouldst reap thereby? From this wave-washed mound brim look with me; thought till it be drowned. though the last line be, il leagues and leagues beyond, se leagues, there is more sea. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [1828-1882] V A HEAD-STWONE dèn ov a stwone hurch-yard all alwone, A bunch o' bennets that did hide The verse wer short, but very good, "Where's father, then," I zaid, "my chile?" At Betty White's, o' t'other side O' road." "Mid He, my chile," I cried, An' keep, an' leäd, an' love thee." Though she've a-lost, I thought, so much, An' zoo, if we could teäke it right, THE TWO MYSTERIES We know not what it is, dear, this sleep so deep and still; The folded hands, the awful calm, the cheek so pale and chill; The lids that will not lift again, though we may call and call; The strange, white solitude of peace that settles over all. Forever 3343 heans, dear, this desolate heart-pain; daily way, and walk in it again; other sphere the loved who leave us onder still, nor why we do not know. loved and dead, if they should come s, "What is life?" not one of us could ep as ever death can be; to us, this life we live and see! -these vanished ones-and blessed us, beloved! though we may show you ck reveal the mystery of deathwould, the mystery of breath." life comes not with knowledge or in ath must go as little children sent. But I believe that God is overhead; ving, so death is to the dead. Mary Mapes Dodge [1838-1905] FOREVER ve truly never die, y year the sad memorial wreath, vers, types of life and death, n their graves. e pure life saves, e is love; and love can reach Well blest is he who has a dear one dead: The blessed sweetness of a loving breath Will reach our cheek all fresh through weary years. For her who died long since, ah! waste not tears, She's thine unto the end. Thank God for one dear friend, With face still radiant with the light of truth, John Boyle O'Reilly [1844-1890] NOW AND AFTERWARDS "Two hands upon the breast, and labor is past "-RUSSIAN PROVERB Two hands upon the breast, And labor's done; Two pale feet crossed in rest,— The race is won; Two eyes with coin-weights shut, And all tears cease, Two lips where grief is mute, Anger at peace;— So pray we oftentimes, mourning our lot; God in His kindness answereth not. Two hands to work addressed Aye for His praise; Two feet that never rest Walking His ways; Two eyes that look above Through all their tears; Not wrath, nor fears;— So pray we afterwards, low on our knees; Pardon those erring prayers! Father, hear these! Dinah Maria Mulock Craik [1826-1887] brer's Task is O'er" 3345 ABORER'S TASK IS O'ER" aborer's task is o'er; tears of earth are dried; ster Judge than here. Thy gracious keeping now Thy servant sleeping. penitents, that turn cross their dying eyes, e of Jesus learn feet in Paradise. Thy gracious keeping now Thy servant sleeping. nore the powers of hell vail to mar their peace; Lord shall guard them well, died for their release. Thy gracious keeping now Thy servant sleeping. earth, and dust to dust," now the words we say, d, we wait in trust resurrection day. Thy gracious keeping now Thy servant sleeping. John Lodge Ellerton [1801-1873] |