When wandering here a little span, That wedded love we prize so dear, As if our heaven and home were here, On no sweet sister's faithful breast Wouldst thou thine aching forehead rest, On no kind brother lean : But who, O perfect filial heart, E'er did like Thee a true son's part, Endearing, firm, serene? Thou wept'st, meek maiden, mother mild, Thou wept'st upon thy sinless child, Thy very heart was riven : And yet, what mourning matron here Would deem thy sorrows bought too dear By all on this side Heaven? A son that never did amiss, That never sham'd his mother's kiss, Nor cross'd her fondest prayer: Even from the tree he deign'd to bow For her his agonized brow, Her, his sole earthly care. Ave Maria! blessed Maid! Lily of Eden's fragrant shade, Who can express the love That nurtur'd thee so pure and sweet, Making thy heart a shelter meet For Jesus' holy Dove? Ave Maria! Mother blest, To whom caressing and caress'd, Favour'd beyond Archangels' dream, Thy new-born Saviour smil'd: Ave Maria! Thou whose name All but adoring love may claim, Yet may we reach thy shrine; For He, thy Son and Saviour, vows With love and joy like thine. Bless'd is the womb that bare Him-bless'd h The bosom where his lips were press'd, Who hear his word and keep it well, The living homes where Christ shall dwell, ST. MARK'S DAY. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder the one from the other. Acts xv. 39. Compare 2 Timothy iv. 11. Take Mark, and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry. OH! who shall dare in this frail scene On holiest happiest thoughts to lean, On Friendship, Kindred, or on Love? Since not Apostles' hands can clasp Each other in so firm a grasp, But they shall change and variance prove. h St. Luke xi. 27, 28. Yet deem not, on such parting sad Shall dawn no welcome dear and glad: Together at the glorious goal, Each leading many a rescu'd soul, The faithful champions shall embrace. For even as those mysterious Four, So, on their tasks of love and praise Right onward speed, yet join at last. And sometimes even beneath the moon When reconciled Christians meet, High thoughts of holy love impart Companion of the Saints! 'twas thine i Ezekiel i. 9. They turned not when they went-they went every one straight forward. When the great soldier of thy Lord O then the glory and the bliss, Shall melt with earth and sin away! Shall spend in love th' eternal day! ST. PHILIP AND ST. JAMES. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich, in that he is made low. St. James i. 9, 10. DEAR is the morning gale of spring, And dear th' autumnal eve; But few delights can summer bring A Poet's crown to weave. |