[The following lines are subjoined, as falling in with the plan of the work, though composed too late for insertion in their proper place. For the leading idea in them, the author is indebted to a friend, the writer of the stanzas in p. 19, entitled "The First Smile."]
"There is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, that need no repentance."
COME, and with us by summer seas
The revel hold of Mirth and Ease.
Together now, and now apart,
Three happy sprites, we glide and dart
O'er rock and sand, as free and bright
As waves that leap in morning light ;—
Or mark in playful pensiveness
How fast the evening clouds undress
O'er gleaming waters far away,
And by the tir'd Sun gently lay
Their robes of glory, to be worn
More gorgeous with returning morn.
There, and where'er our fancies roam,
Our trusting hearts are still at home,
For at our side we feel
Our father's smile, our mother's glance.
Say, can this earth a loving trance
Of deeper bliss reveal?
Yes: from the shore with us return,
And thou a deeper bliss shalt learn.
Just as the mounting sun hath drawn
Warm fragrance from the thymy lawn,
Come to our cottage home, and see
If aught of sprightly, fresh, and free,
With the calm sweetness may compare
Of the pale form half slumbering there,
Our little sister, late as gay
As sea-lark drench'd in ocean spray,
Now from her couch of languor freed
One hour upon soft air to feed.
O gently tread, and mildly gaze,
Ill may she brook our bolder ways;
The babe who cannot speak
Tempers, to her, his strong caress;
Lightly the small soft fingers press
The wan and wearied cheek.
And if in festive hour, beside
The laughing waves and tuneful tide,
Parental eyes for joy grow dim,
What notes may trace the heart's deep hymn,
In silence mingling with the breath
Of child by prayer recall'd from death,
Or with the pulse's healthier chime
In praise melodious keeping time?
O, when its flower seems fain to die,
The full heart grudges smile or sigh
To aught beside, though fair and dear.
Like a bruis'd leaf, at touch of Fear
Its hidden fragrance Love gives out.
Therefore, this one dear couch about
We linger hour by hour.
The love that each to each we bear,
All treasures of endearing care,
Into her lap we pour.
Type of that holiest Family,
When smitten souls, at point to die,
Come darkling home, prepar'd to wait
In doubt and dimness by the gate.
Then far along the mournful way
Paternal Love speeds out, to say
The words of welcome; Angels bear
The robe, sweet pledge of pardoning care;
And as he daily seeks aright
His lowly station in their sight,
They watch th' all-ruling Eye, for leave
Some flower of Paradise to give,
Bid amaranth odours round him float,
Or breathe into his ear one note
Of that high loving strain,
Which rings from all the harps of Heaven, When from the Shrine the word is given, "The dead soul lives again."
O, if the Powers and Thrones above
Hover with crowns of joy and love,
Ungrudg'd, unsparing, over brows
That mourn in dust their broken vows,
Rather than where the Saints are seen
Each reigning in his place serene :—
If in Love's earthly home and bower
The mournful or the dangerous hour
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