Author of "The Schönberg-Cotta Family." THE WELL OF BETHLEHEM. I. THE King was faint with battle; and he stood The heat and burden of the day were sore, He saw a vision of the old sweet days, When, as the custom is in Israel, Even in the desert hot and desolate He felt again the touch of that sweet breeze, That wave beside the gate. Fair vision this, for warrior of might --Above him fiery heavens, and beneath The bitter waters of the Sea of Death; And, "Oh! that one would bring to me," he said, "Or e'er it be too late, Of the water from the Well of Bethlehem, Which is beside the gate!" Three mighty men, full armèd for the fight, What time the night fell late, Of the water from the Well of Bethlehem, The king once more beside his captains stood, II. The Earth was faint with battle; and she lay And as she lay, and fevered with the pain Of her long anguish, in a dream she turned again To that sweet home which God had laid upon her breast In the far spring-time for her children's rest; And His own presence in the garden, and His Word, Which, mingled with the breeze, her soft trees stirred, Had given her a fountain ever sweet, And ever springing round His blessed feet, Where Earth might drink, and smile, and praise her Lord. And in her dream she lifted up her voice, And, "Oh! that one would bring to me," she said, "While I in anguish wait, Of the water from the Well of Paradise, A mighty Man, full armèd for the fight, Did pierce Him sorely with his sword of light- What time the night fell late, Of the water from the Well of Paradise, Meekly, with covered face and bended head, "He hath done matchless things for me," she said "This water I do hold for this Man's bloodI take the cup, and drink, and live to God." B. M. DEATH OF DE ARGENTINE. ALREADY Scattered o'er the plain--- Till Pembroke turned his bridle rein, But quitted there the train :- ire and low bending? ommand'st the beggar's knee, ptre and the ball, r the tide of pomp orgeous ceremony, majestical, he wretched slave, and vacant mind, d with distressful bread : And in her dream she lifted up her voice, And, "Oh! that one would bring to me," she said, 66 While I in anguish wait, Of the water from the Well of Paradise, Which is beside the gate !" A mighty Man, full armèd for the fight, Did pierce Him sorely with his sword of light- What time the night fell late, Of the water from the Well of Paradise, Meekly, with covered face and bended head, "He hath done matchless things for me," she said; "This water I do hold for this Man's blood I take the cup, and drink, and live to God." B. M. DEATH OF DE ARGENTINE. ALREADY Scattered o'er the plain--- Cried" Fight!" to terror and despair, And cursed their caitiff fears; Till Pembroke turned his bridle rein, But quitted there the train :- |