CHANGES. Never a scornful word should grieve ye: I'd smile on ye sweet as the angels do: Sweet as your smile on me shone ever, Douglas, Douglas, tender and true! O to call back the days that are not! I never was worthy of you, Douglas, Now all men beside seem to me like shadows; Stretch out your hand to me, Douglas, Douglas; Drop forgiveness from Heaven like dew, As I lay my heart on your dead heart, Douglas: Douglas, Douglas, tender and true. DINAH MARIA MULOCH. CHANGES. WHOM first we love, you know, we seldom wed. CHANGES. Much must be borne which it is hard to bear; My little boy begins to babble now Upon my knee his earliest infant prayer. But when he sleeps and smiles upon my knee, Who might have been . . . ah what, I dare not think! We are all changed. God judges for us best. God help us do our duty, and not shrink, And trust in Heaven humbly for the rest! But blame us women not, if some appear Too cold at times; and some too gay and light. Ah, were we judged by what we might have been, too apt to fall ! My little child-he sleeps and smiles between These thoughts and me. In heaven we shall know all! ROBERT BULWER LYTTON. LOSS AND GAIN. WHEN the baby died, we said, While we watched he waited there, One foot on the golden stair, One hand beckoning at the gate, Till the home was desolate. Say, to ease the parting pain, That "your loss is but their gain." Ah! the parents think of this! But remember more the kiss Left upon a broken toy, THOSE EVENING BELLS. Only Time can give relief Then shall sing of loss and gain. NORA PERRY. THOSE EVENING BELLS. THOSE evening bells! those evening bells! Those joyous hours are passed away; And so 'twill be when I am gone; THOMAS Moore. SONG. Ask me no more where Jove bestows, Ask me no more whither do stray Ask me no more whither doth haste Ask me no more where those stars light Ask me no more if east or west THOMAS CAREW. |