A Leaf from the Old Forest
realm, Parading in a calm majestic air From end to end, and casting here and there, Through the condenseness of the sylvan boughs, Her sidelong glances, which intrude the depths, And lay strange shadows wrangling on the ground. Then for a while he stood amazed amid The awful tremor of this death-like calm, And for a time his grief forgot its depth; For a calm wonder sat enthroned instead Upon his soul, which shewed the great, and good, And grand conception of the God who made The earth and heavens in order so profound. And, growing weary, there he sat him down Beneath the cover of a spreading tree; For it was many days since he had slept Or rested for his earnest watchfulness. He breathed a silent prayer that God would send Him comfort in and strength to bear the grief, Then drew his mantle o’er him, and remained Wrapt in the sadness of his mournful thoughts, Until the gentle arms of slumber closed Around him, and he slept a deep, soft sleep. And in the watches of the night there came A bright and wondrous vision on his mind. p. 100He dreamt that on a lovely eve he sat Beneath the shadow of a spreading tree, In adoration of the beauties round But heartsore with the burden of his woe; When the sweet fragments of a heavenly song Broke on his ear. He raised his eyes, and lo! Amid the tranquil heights above he saw Forth from the portals of the eternal gates Two angel forms descending unto him. Their garments were as white as Winter snow, And on their brows were sparkling crowns of gold, And they had wings as angels, and each held A banner in her hand, on which these words In golden letters were so strangely wrought: “’Tis peace, and love, and joy eternally Adorns the precincts of our blessed home.” And bright their presence was as dazzling suns, Which send a radiance through the heavens wide. They now before him stood, and she who spake Was lovely to behold; her perfect form Was as the form of his departed one, Yet lovelier far; and the sweet voice did seem The same sweet voice he had been wont to hear. In fervent power, yet softly, thus she spake: “Dear Henry, rise and mourn no more for me, Since I am in a sweet eternity, p. 101And dwell in peace, and joy, and love, and songs, Which are for ever gladly rising there. Sweet were our days together spent below, But sweeter far they shall be when above We are united through unending days With her, an angel too, who was our babe, And who hath come to bear me presence here.” Then by the hand she took him, and thus spake In kind and pleading words: “The laws of man Would hold and deem it just that, if a man In time of his prosperity forget To render to his God a full return Of thankfulness and praise, then he shall be In time of his adversity forgot. But God is more compassionate, and says That if a man 
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