Heaven in the depth and height is seen;

On high among the stars, and low
In deep clear waters; all between

Is earth, and tastes of earth: even so
The Almighty one draws near

To strongest seraphs there, to weakest infants here.

And both are robed in white, and both

On evil look unharmed, and wear

A ray so pure, ill Powers are loth

To linger in the keen bright air.

As Angels wait in joy

On Saints, so on the old the duteous-hearted boy.

God's Angels keep the eternal round
Of praise on high, and never tire.
His Lambs are in His Temple found
Early, with all their hearts' desire.

They boast not to be free,

They grudge not to their Lord meek ear and bended

knee.

O well and wisely wrought of old,

Nor without guide, be sure, who first Did cherub forms as infants mould,

And lift them where the full deep burst

Of awful harmony

Might need them most, to waft it onward to the sky :

Where best they may in watch and ward

Around the enthroned Saviour stand,

May quell, with sad and stern regard,
Unruly eye and wayward hand,

May deal the blessed dole

Of saving knowledge round from many a holy scroll.

What if in other lines than ours

They write, in other accents speak? There are whom watchful Love empowers To read such riddles ;-duteous seek,

And thou shalt quickly find.

The Mother best may tell the eager babe's deep mind.

Haply some shield their arms embrace,

Rich with the Lord's own blazonry. The Cross of His redeeming grace,

Or His dread Wounds, we there descry.

His standard-bearers they :

Learn we to face them on the dread Procession Day.

And Oh! If aught of pride or lust

Have soiled thee in the world, take heed: Entering, shake off the mire and dust.

Angelic eyes are keen, to read

By the least lightest sign,

When we foul idle thoughts breathe in the air divine.

And how, but by their whisperings soft,
Feel virgin hearts when sin is near,

Sin even in dreams unknown? Full oft
Such instinct we may mark in fear,

Nor our own ill endure

In presence of Christ's babes, and of their Guardians

pure.

10.

CHURCH RITES.

"Christ is all and in all."

THE wedding guests are met,

The urns are duly set,

Even as the Lord had taught his own of old.

Filled are they to the height

With water pure and bright :

Now pour them out-'tis done, and purest wine behold.

The bridegroom kneels beside

His bashful loving bride;

Earth on that hour seems showering all her best.

But more than earth e'er knew

He wins, if hearts be true :

An Angel friend, to share his everlasting rest.

A babe in deep repose

Where holy water flows

Is bathed, while o'er him holiest words are said.

Close thou the garden-gate, and keep the key,
There chiefly, where the tender seedlings fold
Their dainty leaves a treasure even to thee
Unknown, till airs celestial make them bold.

When sun and shower give token, freely then
The fragrance will steal out, the flower unclose:
But busy hands, and an admiring ken,

Have blighted ere its hour full many a rose.

Then rest thee, bright one, in thy tranquil nook, Fond eyes to cherish thee, true arms to keep, Nor wistful for the world's gay sunshine look ;— In its own time the light will o'er thee sweep.

Think of the babes of Judah's royal line :— Display but touched them with her parching glare

Once, and for ages four they bare the sign,

The fifth beheld them chained in Babel's lair.