My eldest by a raging fever died,-- And last, my youngest hope, the forest bough III. 'Stranger, repeat thy tidings, word by word, 'Long had my soul been vexed with evil men; They whom I trusted had betrayed my faith Therefore far better seemed it, in the den ; Of the wild beast to hide my spirit's scathe, Than dwell with man, more cruel far, whose ken To love, and hope, and simple truth is death I sought the desert, but my soul's despair, Blasting my peace, went with me, even there. V. 'I dwelt among the hunters of the waste, Seeking in their benighted natures, day.— Vain quest, amid the ignorant and debased! Then to the unpeopled wilds I fled away, Still hurrying onward in my bootless haste; Or 'neath the o'er-arching forest trees I lay. Dubious of purpose, miserable and blind, Seeking for what on earth we may not find. VI. Thus as I lay, in my unquiet mood, Beheld thy son upon his bended knee;— VII. He rose-" And who art thou?" amazed I cried, "How know'st thou my soul's darkness and distress?" "My brother," he with fervent voice replied, "I am a dweller in the wilderness, And oft in forest-wilds and caves abide; And thus, one eve, o'erspent with weariness, I heard thy plaints-my native tongue I heard, And my heart burned within me at each word. VIII. "From that day, vainly have I sought for thee With yearning love, in many a lonely spot, Troubling my soul with fond anxiety, Even as a mother-though thou know'st it not For in my heart I felt that thou wouldst be A blessing to this desert,-and I sought To God in prayer for thee, each opening day, That as a cloud, thy grief might pass away. IX. ; "For love of the poor children of the wild, Yet have I pined as a bereaved child For kindred bonds,-and felt my heart expand x. "Twas thus we met, and strong our friendship grew: My heart was changed, we laboured side by side,His very tone was like refreshing dew That sheds its mild and genial influence wide. XI. 'For thou wast unto him as light and life, And, next to God, within his soul enshrined ;Yet thinking on thy strength, his eye grew bright, And his heart blessing thee, again resigned.For thou didst gird him for this holy fight, And sent him forth, thy last one! nor repined. Oh blessed mother of a Son like him, Let not thy heart droop, nor thy faith be dim! XII. 'Thy soul's desire was answered, when he stood, XIII. Man's savage heart was changed where'er he went, And the bleak desert blossomed as a field; For, on their welfare evermore intent, He taught them how the affluent soil would yield Abundant harvests; late and early bent In wearying toil, and with them sowed and tilled,Ay, even when Death had stricken him,-when each day, Drooping and weak, I saw him waste away. XIV. Yet was he not untended,-day and night And with a fervent faith, and truth sincere, XV. But when his earthly course was well nigh run, Brighter than even it before had done; And then he knew no shrinking fear, nor doubt. He saw the fight was o'er, the victory won, And heard, in faith, the far triumphant shout! Whilst the poor dwellers of the desert sate Around him, weeping and disconsolate. XVI. Hundreds came down to gaze upon his face, Like pleasant waters in a barren place, Soothing that sorrow nought else could dispel. Then o'er his solemn features beamed his grace, 63 Which ne'er shall leave the hearts of those who heard. XVII. Mothers brought down their children, from his hand Knelt in their silent grief; and many a band Of mourners sought their streaming tears to hide XVIII. "They saw the strength in which his soul was strong, They felt the answer to his dying prayer; Amazed, they heard his joy o'erflowing tongue Of heaven and immortality declare : And he who was their light and hope so long, Meekly they sought to follow ;-from despair Confiding faith sprung up, and death was sent, To crown the work in which his life was spent. XIX. 'He died-yet ere he died, he bade me take Who, with the righteous dead, is surely blest. |