SONG OF THE BIBLE.

I've broken the iron slumber of years,
Which the Papacy cast around me;
And I witness his tottering step and fears,
Whose traditions would have bound me.

I am speaking yet to Earth in sin,
With more than mortal lungs;
Already to her nations, in

A hundred and fifty tongues.

I'm found in the Eastern clime, where fast

The Hindu holds his chain;

And I'm seen in the North as bread that's cast

I

Abroad, to be gathered again.

go down in the ships and cheer the men

That traverse the mighty sea;

I

go with the mission bands, and then

The Pagan is glad for me.

To the dying fool who has bartered heaven,

I speak, as he gasps for breath,

Of gold that unto rust is given,

When it cannot save from death.

To the poor and despised, yet rich in faith,
Whose love to Christ is much,

I speak, and my word of promise saith
That blessed for aye, are such.

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84

SONG OF THE BIBLE.

To the proud I say, let those that think
They stand, look, lest they fall,—
But the trembling soul that fears to sink,
I raise above them all.

To those that in the Tempter's hour
Have seen his dreadful shape,
I've said, for this, my sovereign power
Shall find some sure escape.

I am speaking yet, I am speaking yet,-
The secrets I've made known,

Have caused the wretch his grief to forget,
And the king to forget his throne.

One word of mine has planted the thorn
In the sinner's downy bed,—

And cheered the dreams of the just, forlorn,
Though a dungeon wrapt his head.

I am speaking yet,—my words of life
Drop an immortal balm

For mortals, grappling in the strife,
With Death's omnipotent arm.

I sooth the father when distress
Wrings damps out on his brow;
Leave with thy God thy fatherless,-
Thy widow with him now.

SONG OF THE BIBLE.

I speak to the fainting mother, when
Her last look tries to dwell

On all she loves and leaves; and then
How sweet is her farewell!

I speak as the innocent babe goes home,
When it feels the mortal touch,-

O, fear not, little one! to come;
His kingdom is of such.

I am speaking yet! nor shall return
My word, as void in time;

Nor when the last day's sun shall burn,
Or the stars' last hymn shall chime.

I am speaking yet,-and I shall speak
When the heavens pass away;
And my foes will in their agony seek
To hide from that fearful day!

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86

THE LEVELLER.

THE LEVELLER.

"My mother died, and I sorrowed for her, more because England had lost a Countess, than that I had been deprived of a parent. I thought it was dreadful that we should be subject to a shrouda pall—a coffin !”

"Tis humbling to our poor mortality,

To think that we must leave all fond delight, All joys and friendships, all we know, and be Lost to our bosom's love, inurned in night, And slumber where none dream, beneath the pall,— Forgotten by them all.

To leave illuminated rooms-the dance,

Exciting song, and hum of careless mirth,

For darkness which sound breaks not, save perchance

The tooth of reptile burrowing near our earth— Which falls not on the dull regardless ear,

And causes us no fear.

And yet, to the sad child of poverty

It matters nothing:-Death disturbs him not;

THE LEVELLER.

Yea, by its friendly portal he may flee

87

From the world's cares, lie down and be forgot. Calm is that night of resting, sweet the bed Where he reclines his head.

The grave, to him who fellowships with woes,
Is clothed in beauty: yea, the softest down
Is there inviting him to kind repose;

And O, within that chamber the cold frown
Of the unfriendly world is not: the jeer
Of proud ones comes not here.

And he that in his Maker puts his trust,

Fears not to die. Even in the trying hour,

When life's strings break, and he draws near the He is as one superior to the power

Of Death. Intently on the opening tomb

He looks, and sees no gloom.

But she, the haughty, affluent, and gay,

[dust,

The pleasure-loving, beautiful and youngThe high-the flattered-shall the damp cold clay Wrap her fair limbs, and she be rudely flung, A broken flower, from cherished ones away, Given unto decay?

Forget it, Lady!—seek out pleasure's haunt;
Say to Prosperity, Be thou my good!