vi

O had we kept entire the vow
And covenant of our infant eyes,
We too might trace untrembling now
Glad lessons in the moonlight skies.

There are, to whom the gay green earth
Might seem a mournful penance cave ;
For they have marr'd their holy birth,

Have rent the bowers that o'er them wave.
Where underneath Thy Cross they lie,
Mark me a place: Thy Mercy's ray
Is healing, even to such as I,

Else wherefore bid us hope and pray?

What if there were, who laid one hand
Upon the Lyre of Innocence,

While the other over sea and land

Beckoned foul shapes, in dream intense

Of earthly Passion? Whoso reads,
In pity kneel for him, and pour
A deep heart-prayer (O! much it needs)
That lies may be his hope no more.

vii

Pray that the mist, by sin and shame

Left on his soul, may fleet; that he A true and timely word may frame For weary hearts, that ask to see Their way in our dim twilight hour ;His lips so purged with penance-fire, That he may guide them, in Christ's power, Along the path of their desire;

And with no faint nor erring voice
May to the wanderer whisper, "Stay:
God chooses for thee: seal His choice,
Nor from thy Mother's shadow stray :
For sure thine holy Mother's shade

Rests yet upon thine ancient home: No voice from Heaven hath clearly said, 'Let us depart; then fear to roam.”

Pray that the Prayer of Innocents
On Earth, of Saints in Heaven above,
Guard, as of old, our lonely tents;
Till, as one Faith is ours, in Love

viii

We own all Churches, and are owned.—

Pray Him to save, by chastenings keen, The harps that hail His Bride enthroned From wayward touch of hands unclean.

Feb. 8, 1846.

LYRA INNOCENTIUM.

*.

Holy Baptism.

1.

THE MOST HOLY NAME.

'Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost."

ONCE in His Name who made thee,
Once in His Name who died for thee,
Once in His Name who lives to aid thee,
We plunge thee in Love's boundless sea.

Christian, dear child, we call thee;
Threefold the Bath, the Name is One:
Henceforth no evil dream befall thee,

Now is thy heavenly rest begun.

B

Yet in sharp hours of trial

The mighty seal must needs be prov'd: Dread Spirits wait in stern espial:

But name thou still the Name belov'd.

Name it with heart untainted,

Lips fragrant from their early vow, Ere Conscience yet have swerved or fainted, Ere Shame have dyed the willing brow.

Name it in dewy morning,

When duly for the world's keen fray With prayer and vow thy soul adorning, Thou in thy bower salut'st the day.

In quiet evening name it,

When gently, like a wearied breeze, Thou sink'st to sleep; O see thou claim it— That saving Name-upon thy knees.

Name it in solemn meetings,

'Mid chanted anthems grave and clear, When toward the East our awful greetings Are wafted ere our Lord appear.