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.

2.

CHILDREN LIKE PARENTS.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

WHEN travail hours are spent and o'er,

And genial hours of joy

In cradle songs and nursery lore

All the glad home employ,

Full busy in her kindly mood

Is Fancy, to descry

The welcome notes of fatherhood,
In form, and lip and eye.

And elder brethren's hearts are proud,
And sisters blush and smile,

As round the babe by turns they crowd,

A brief and wondering while.

With eager speed they ready make
Soft bosom and safe arm,

As though such burthen once to take
A blessing were and charm.

And ever as with hastening wing
His little life glides on,

By power of that first wondrous spring
To all but babes unknown,

Easier each hour the task will grow,
To name the unfolding flower,
By plumage and by song to know
The nestling in his bower.-

Oh, while your hearts so blithely dance With frail fond hopes of earth,

Will ye not cast one onward glance

To the true heavenly birth?

Will ye not say,

"God speed the time

When Spirits pure, to trace

The hues of a more glorious prime,

Shall lean from their high place

And mark, too keen for earthly day,
The Father's stamp and seal,
Christ in the heart, the Living Ray,
Its deepening light reveal ?"

Oh, well the denizens of Heaven
Their Master's children know,
By filial yearnings sweet and even,
By patient smiles in woe,

By gaze of meek inquiry, turn'd
Towards th' informing Eye,

By tears that to obey have learn'd,
By clasped hands on high.

Well may we guess, our Guardians true

Stoop low and tarry long,

Each accent noting, each faint hue,

That shows us weak or strong.

And even as loving nurses here
Joy in the babe to find

The likeness true of kinsman dear

Or brother good and kind,