and delight.

p. 54

And when tired thought my sense benumbs, Or when past shadows roll Their memories on my soul, Oft breaking through the darkness comes A solace and surprise, Her wonder-lighted eyes.

How grand and beautiful the love She silently conceals, Nor save in act reveals! She broods o’er kindness; as a dove Sits musing in the nest Of the life beneath her breast.

p. 55The ready freshness that was known In man’s authentic prime, The earliest breath of time, Throughout her household ways is shown; Mild greatness subtly wrought With quaint and childlike thought.

p. 55

She sits to music: fingers fall, Air shakes; her lifted voice Makes flattered hope rejoice, And shivering through Time’s phantom pall, Its wavering rents display Dim splendour, far away;

Where her perfection, glory-crowned, Shall rest in love for ever; When mortal systems sever, And the orbed universe is drowned, Leaving the empty skies The blank of death-closed eyes.

p. 56Deep in this truth I root my trust; And know the dear One’s praise, Her mutely gracious ways, When all her loveliness is dust And mosses rase her name, Will bless our world the same.

p. 56

As scent of flowers her worth was born Her joyous goodness spread Like music over head, Smiles now as smiles a plain of corn When in the winds of June, Lit by a shining noon.

A gap of sunlight in the storm; A blossom ere the spring; Immortal whispering; A spirit manifest through form Which we can touch and kiss,—  To life such beauty is.

p. 57Ah! who can doubt, though he may doubt Our solid earth will run A future round the sun, That gentle impulse given out Can never fail or die, But throbs eternally!

p. 57

p. 59VII. HER SHADOW.

p. 59

At matin time where creepers interlace We sauntered slowly, for we loved the place, And talked of passing things; I, pleased to trace Through leafy mimicry the true leaves made, The stateliness and beauty of her shade;

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