A creature vowed to serve both God and man, No matter who, so he thy service need; Not e'en from guilt dost thou thine aid withhold, To note the anguish of despairing crime, That seem from conscience half their force to win: Then stand before the dark demoniac's sight,- To calm the throbbings of his fevered brow; And it is given: thy softliest whispered word Once touched, his ravings all are stilled by thee. THE SISTER OF CHARITY. I see thee stand and mark that wondrous change, By many a faint and feeble murmur led, Performing humblest offices of love For such as know no human love beside, Still on thy healing way in mercy move, Daughter of Pity, thus for ever glide! All peace to thee and thy devoted band, Vowed to earth's gloomy "family of pain;" Whose worth could e'en the unwilling awe command Of blood-stained men who owned no other chain. Long may ye live the cherished badge to wear, To fainting souls your cup of life to bear, And be the angels ye have ever been. 28 137 STANZAS. ADDRESSED TO MISS M. J. JEWSBURY, LATE MRS. FLETCHER, ON HER "FAREWELL TO THE MUSE." GENTLE Minstrel, say not so, Bid not thus the Muse farewell; Of unbidden joys around thee: And when Fate's barbed arrows wound thee, Pours upon thy bleeding heart Balsam sweet to heal the smart; If thou'st loved her "long and well," Fame's proud steep is hard to climb; For the Muse is coy to yield To the first light vows we make her; To their inmost hearts must take her; STANZAS TO M. J. J. Why pronounce her promise vain, In so wildly sweet a song, Then take thy Lute, and it shall be,— The depths of thine own heart to light: To grace thy young, aspiring brow; 139 GUARDIAN ANGELS. "Thousands of ministering angels walk the earth MILTON. CHILDREN, who rosy rest Seek on a mother's breast, Know that above you are other arms spread; Protecting you longer, Watching your footsteps, and guarding your Sorrow must dim your eyes, Cares will with years arise, Ambushed around you lie many a snare; Angels, defend your charge; Let them not roam at large; Follow for ever to bid them beware! Young heirs of sorrow, Whose hope is to-morrow, O'er you a banner of love be unfurled; Prompting the secret prayer "Not to release, but to keep from the world." Body-guard holy, To man bequeathed solely, Vainly to see you our vision we strain; Asking of form and face, Shadows we seek to trace, Stretching our arms to enfold you, in vain. bed. |