Nor that deep sorrow my Redeemer tasted When on his soul the guilt of man was pressed. Tender and sensitive, he braved the storm, That we might fly a well-deserved fate, Poured out his soul in supplication warm, Looked with his eyes of love on eyes of hate. Let all this goodness by my mind be seen, A MEDITATION. CHARLES J. FOX.* "O FOR Some special Providence! Thus cry our ingrate hearts, nor feel, Thou giv'st the seasons in their course, And air, and food, and light, and life, * Of Nashua, N. H. These verses were written a few days before his death. A MEDITATION. When health is bounding in each vein, At once we light the incense-cup, When all the friends we love the most Return our hearts' caress, And life is full of joy and hope, — Then we forget to bless: But if some loved one pines, and Death O, how we wrestle for his life, When fortune wears a smiling face, When all around we see no cloud, But if misfortune's storm beats fierce On our devoted breasts, We strive until by penitence God's rainbow on us rests. "T is ever thus;- God's daily gifts Wake but a feeble lay; 213 We feel not, know not, how to prize, Then, then, too late, we see Heaven's glow Upon their upward track, And find that angels have been here, Lord! if thou wert not perfect love, HYMN IN SICKNESS. H. WARE, JR. FATHER, thy gentle chastisement To warn me back to thy control; THE PILGRIM AT HEAVEN'S GATE. 215 The errors of my heart I know; I feel my deep infirmities; And holy purposes arise, But, like the morning clouds, decay, Forgive the weakness I deplore; THE PILGRIM AT HEAVEN'S GATE. C. G. FENNER. Casta placent Superis Pura cum veste venite. England's Helicon. 1600. My Robe of Life is travel-worn, My Robe of Life is scorched and burnt From passionate and fell desires; My Robe of Life is blood-besprent, For though I never raised the knife To smite my brother's breast, I've sent A sharper steel through his soul's life, And made his heart to bleed by deep And angry words that murdered sleep. My Robe of Life is tear-bedewed, - My Robe of Life is sin-bespotted, And much bewrayed by anxious care, And here and there grown thin and rotted Away by too much wear and tear,And torn by thorny thickets, when Through them I sought the road again. My Robe of Life at first was fair And spotless as the driven snow, |