Part 11

"When I hear (to-night it may be) Some one pausing at my door, I shall know the gay soft accents, Heard and welcomed oft before!

"So each day I am more hopeful, He may come before the night: Every sunset I feel surer He must come ere morning light.

"Then I thank you, noble lady, But I cannot do your will: Where he left me, he must find me. Waiting, watching, hoping, still!"

VERSE: THE CRADLE SONG OF THE POOR

Hush! I cannot bear to see thee Stretch thy tiny hands in vain; Dear, I have no bread to give thee, Nothing, child, to ease thy pain! When God sent thee first to bless me, Proud, and thankful too, was I; Now, my darling I, thy mother, Almost long to see thee die. Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; God is good, but life is dreary.

I have watched thy beauty fading, And thy strength sink day by day; Soon, I know, will Want and Fever Take thy little life away. Famine makes thy father reckless, Hope has left both him and me; We could suffer all, my baby, Had we but a crust for thee. Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; God is good, but life is dreary.

Better thou shouldst perish early, Starve so soon, my darling one, Than in helpless sin and sorrow Vainly live, as I have done. Better that thy angel spirit With my joy, my peace, were flown, Than thy heart grew cold and careless, Reckless, hopeless, like my own. Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; God is good, but life is dreary.

I am wasted, dear, with hunger, And my brain is all opprest, I have scarcely strength to press thee, Wan and feeble, to my breast. Patience, baby, God will help us, Death will come to thee and me, He will take us to his Heaven, Where no want or pain can be. Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; God is good, but life is dreary.

Such the plaint that, late and early, Did we listen, we might hear Close beside us,--but the thunder Of a city dulls our ear. Every heart, as God's bright Angel, Can bid one such sorrow cease; God has glory when his children Bring his poor ones joy and peace! Listen, nearer while she sings Sounds the fluttering of wings!

VERSE: BE STRONG

Be strong to hope, oh Heart! Though day is bright, The stars can only shine In the dark night. Be strong, oh Heart of mine, Look towards the light!

Be strong to bear, oh Heart! Nothing is vain: Strive not, for life is care, And God sends pain, Heaven is above, and there Rest will remain!

Be strong to love, oh Heart! Love knows not wrong, Didst thou love--creatures even, Life were not long; Didst thou love God in Heaven, Thou wouldst be strong!

VERSE: GOD'S GIFTS

God gave a gift to Earth:- a child, Weak, innocent, and undefiled, Opened its ignorant eyes and smiled.

It lay so helpless, so forlorn, Earth took it coldly and in scorn, Cursing the day when it was born.

She gave it first a tarnished name, For heritage, a tainted fame, Then cradled it in want and shame.

All influence of Good or Right, All ray of God's most holy light, She curtained closely from its sight.

Then turned her heart, her eyes away, Ready to look again, the day Its little feet began to stray.

In dens of guilt the baby played, Where sin, and sin alone, was made The law that all around obeyed.

With ready and obedient care, He learnt the tasks they taught him there; Black sin for lesson--oaths for prayer.

Then Earth arose, and, in her might, To vindicate her injured right, Thrust him in deeper depths of night.

Branding him with a deeper brand Of shame, he could not understand, The felon outcast of the land.

* * *

God gave a gift to Earth:- a child, Weak, innocent, and undefiled, Opened its ignorant eyes and smiled.

And Earth received the gift, and cried Her joy and triumph far and wide, Till echo answered to her pride.

She blest the hour when first he came To take the crown of pride and fame, Wreathed through long ages for his name.

Then bent her utmost art and skill To train the supple mind and will, And guard it from a breath of ill.