IN MEMORIAM.

TO MY MOTHER.

THOUGH the strong utterance of fondest grief
Vainly ascends, to bring thee back again;
Yet the out-welling tears give their relief

To the heart-fountain overcharged with pain.

How bravely didst thou bear thy painful doom:
How great the self-devotion and the love
That trained each fading infant for the tomb,
And tuned their spirits for the joys above.

So purified by Heav'n sent grief and pain
Was the bright vision of thy upturn'd eye,

That of the Far Hills thou hadst strength to gain

Glimpses not oft vouchsafed in this world's cloudy

sky

If from thy resting place of bliss on high,

Thou canst look down on earth's remote domain;

Mayst thou rejoicing know that ere I die

This life below has not been lived in vain.

IN MEMORY OF A FAVOURITE SISTER.-I.

DESPAIR.

SHE is

gone, she is gone

My spirit's joy and light!

And earth, without her sunny smile,

Is one vast realm of night!

I'd summon pallid Death to lay

His icy hand on me,

Could he but only lead the way

To Heaven and to Thee.