9 So sang the parting spirit, EDMESTON. THE HAVEN. 1 When the dang'rous rocks are past,When the threat'ning tempests cease,— O! how sweet to rest at last In a silent port of peace! 2 Though that port may be unknown, 3 Life! thou art the storm-the rock: Promis'd peace and tranquil rest; RUSSIAN POETRY. LOVE OF GOD. Oh! never, never canst thou know The pangs of that mysterious wo The weight that press'd upon his brow, The fever of his bosom's core ! Yes! man for man perchance may brave The horrors of the yawning grave; And friend for friend, or child for sire, Undaunted and unmov'd expire, From love or piety-or pride. But who can die as Jesus died? A sweet but solitary beam, An emanation from above, Glimmers o'er life's uncertain dream,— We hail that beam and call it Love! But fainter than the pale star's ray Before the noontide blaze of day, And lighter than the viewless sand Beneath the wave that sweeps the strand, Is all of love that man can know,All that in angel-breasts can glow,Compar'd, O Lord of Hosts! with thine, Eternal-fathomless-divine! That love, whose praise, with quenchless fire, DALE. UNION OF CHRISTIANS. 1 Our earthly ties are weak, Whereon we dare not rest: For time dissolves, and death will break The sweetest and the best. Yet there's a tie which must remain, In which Christ's favour'd friends unite, Where all the hearts in union cling A chain, wherein link answers link, 4 Though lovely many an earthly flow'r, Its beauty fades and flies; But they unchanging form a bow'r Sprung from the true immortal vine, So they all minor ties disown, ANON. ON HAPPINESS. 1 True happiness is not the growth of earth; The search is useless if you seek it there; "Tis an exotic of celestial birth, 2 Sweet plant of Paradise! its seed is sown In here and there a plant of heavenly mould; It rises slow and buds, but ne'er was known To blossom here-the climate is too cold. GOD UNCHANGEABLE. 1 Not seldom, clad in radiant vest, 2 The smoothest seas will sometimes prove 3 The umbrageous tree, in pomp outspread, 4 But thou art true, incarnate Lord! Who did'st vouchsafe for man to die, Thy smile is sure, thy plighted word No change can falsify. 51 bent before thy gracious throne, And ask'd for peace with suppliant knee; And peace was giv'n-nor peace alone, WORDSWORTH. ANGELS SENT TO MINISTER." 1 And is there care in heav'n? and is there love In heav'nly spirits to these creatures base, That may compassion of their evils move? There is; else much more wretched were the case Of men than beasts. But oh, the exceeding grace Of highest God! that loves his creatures so, That blessed angels he sends to and fro, wicked foe. 2 How oft do they their silver bowers leave, And their bright squadrons round about SPENSER. |