So one heart is left me--she breathes in my ear, "I"m living to bless thee; for this are we here."
And when this sweet pledge to my lone heart was given, Earth held but this joy, or this happiness heaven!
Here the rock and the sea and the tall waving pine Enchant deep the senses,--subduing, sublime; Yet stronger than these is the spell that hath power To sweep o"er the heartstrings in memory"s hour.
Of the past "tis the talisman, when _we three met_, When the star of our friendship arose not to set; And pure as its rising, and bright as the star, Be its course through our heavens, whether near or afar.
Lynn, Ma.s.s., _August 24, 1865_.
_A VERSE_
_Mother"s New Year Gift to the Little Children_
Father-Mother G.o.d, Loving me,-- Guard me when I sleep; Guide my little feet Up to Thee.
_To the Big Children_
Father-Mother good, lovingly Thee I seek,-- Patient, meek, In the way Thou hast,-- Be it slow or fast, Up to Thee.
_TRUTH_
Beyond the clouds, away In the dim distance, lay A bright and golden shower At sunset"s radiant hour,-- Like to the soul"s glad immortality, Making this life divine, Making its waters wine, Giving the glory that eye cannot see.
In G.o.d there is no night,-- Truth is eternal light, A help forever near; For sinless sense is here In Truth, the Life, the Principle of man.
Away, then, mortal sense!
Then, error, get thee hence, Thy discord ne"er in harmony began!
Immortal Truth,--since heaven rang, The while the glad stars sang To hail creation"s glorious morn-- As when this babe was born, A painless heraldry of Soul, not sense,-- Shine on our "wildered way, Give G.o.d"s idea sway, And sickness, sin, and death are banished hence.
Lynn, Ma.s.s., _April, 1871_.
"_THE LIBERTY BELLS_"
This is the hour they then foretold-- When earth, inebriate with crime, Laughed right to scorn, and guilt, grown bold, Knelt worshiping at mammon"s shrine.
This is the hour! Corruption"s band Is driven back; and periled right, Rescued by the "fanatic" hand, Spans our broad heaven of light.
Righteousness ne"er--awestruck or dumb-- Feared for an hour the tyrant"s heel!
Injustice to the combat sprang; G.o.d to the rescue--Liberty, peal!
Joy is in every belfry bell-- Joy for the captive! Sound it long!
Ye who have wept fourscore can tell The holy meaning of their song.
"Tis freedom"s birthday--blood-bought boon!
O war-rent flag! O soldier-shroud!
Thine be the glory--nor too soon Is heard your "Cry aloud!"
O not too soon is rent the chain And charter, trampling right in dust!
Till G.o.d is G.o.d no longer--ne"er again Quench liberty that"s just.
Lynn, Ma.s.s., _February 3, 1865_.
"_MEMENTO_"
Respectfully inscribed to my friends in Lynn.
I come to thee O"er the moonlit sea, When the hoa.r.s.e wave revisits thy sh.o.r.e!
When waters shout, And the stars peep out, I am with thee in spirit once more.
Then list the moan Of the billows" foam, Laving with surges thy silv"ry beach!
Night"s dewy eye, The sea-mew"s lone cry, Witness my presence and utter my speech.
Pleasant a grave By the "Rock" or wave, And afar from life"s turmoil its goal.
No sculptured lie, Or hypocrite sigh, E"er to mock the bright truth of the soul.
Friends, will not ye Think kindly of me, In those moments to memory bestowed?
Smile on me yet, O blue eyes and jet, Soft as when parting thy sympathy glowed!
_March 3, 1867._
_COMMUNION HYMN_
Saw ye my Saviour? Heard ye the glad sound?
Felt ye the power of the Word?
"Twas the Truth that made us free, And was found by you and me In the life and the love of our Lord.
Mourner, it calls you,--"Come to my bosom, Love wipes your tears all away, And will lift the shade of gloom, And for you make radiant room Midst the glories of one endless day."