6.

DEATH OF THE NEW-BAPTIZED.

WHAT purer brighter sight on earth, than when
The Sun looks down upon a drop of dew,

Hid in some nook from all but Angels' ken,

And with his radiance bathes it through and through,

Then into realms too clear for our frail view

Exhales and draws it with absorbing love?

And what if Heaven therein give token true Of grace that new-born dying infants prove,

Just touched with Jesus' light, then lost in joys above?

H. Cradle Songs.

1.

THE FIRST SMILE.

"Post et ridere cæpi; dormiens primo, deinde vigilans."-August. Confess. 1. 8.

TEARS from the birth the doom must be
Of the sin-born-but wait awhile,
Young mother, and thine eye shall see
The dawning of the first soft smile.

It comes in slumber, gently steals
O'er the fair cheek, as light on dew;
Some inward joy that smile reveals;
Sit by and muse; such dreams are true.

*For this Poem the Author is indebted to a dear friend.

19

Closed eyelids, limbs supine, and breath So still, you scarce can calm the doubt If life can be so like to death

'Tis life, but all of earth shut out.

'Tis perfect peace; yet all the while
O'er marble brow, and dimpled chin
Mantles and glows that radiant smile,
Noting the spirit stirred within.

Oh dim to this the flashing ray,
Though dear as life to mother's heart,
From waking smiles, that later play ;
In these earth claims the larger part.

'Tis childish sport, or frolic mirth,

Or the fond mother's blameless guile, Or glittering toy,-some gaud of earth, That stirs him to that merry smile.

Or if in pensive wise it creep,

With gradual light and soberer grace, Yet shades of earthly sorrow sleep, Still sleep upon his beauteous face.

But did the smile disclose a dream

Of bliss that had been his before?
Was it from heaven's deep sea a gleam
Not faded quite on earth's dim shore?

Or told some Angel from above
Of glories to be his at last,
The sunset, crowning hours of love—
His labours done-his perils past?

Or, thought of trial for her breast,
Did the mild spirits whisper then,
"From the Baptismal Fount, O blest,
Thou shalt be ours, dear child, again?

"Thou shalt be ours, and heaven be thine, Thy victory without peril given ;

Sent a brief while on earth to shine,
And then to shine a light in heaven.

"And her that folds thee now so warm, And haply thinks 'twere death to part, Her shall a holier love inform,

A clearer faith enlarge her heart."

Blest smile!-so let me live my day,
That when my latest sun shall set,
That smile reviving once may play
And gild my dying features yet:

That smile to cheer the mourners round With hope of human sins forgiven ; Token of earthly ties unbound,

Of heart intent on opening heaven.