Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-11-05
From Dlackwood's Magazine

HE REEF WOOD S III II IF 7
Ou,s,reiched beneath the leafy shade
OF Windsor FoFest's deepest glade,
A dying woman lay;
Three little children round her stood,
AMI there went up from the greenwood
A woful wall that day.
20 mother!' was the mingled cry,
90 mother, mother! do not die,
And leave us all alone
My blessed babes!' she tried to say,
But the faint accents died away
In a low sobbing moan.
And then, life struggling hard with death,
Anl fast and strong she drew her breath,
And up size raised her head;
And pecrlng through the deep wood maze
With a long, sharp, mccarthy gaze,
VIII she not Gomez she said.
Just then, the parting boughs between,
a little m aids light form was seen,
All breathless with her speed
And following close, man came on,
"a portly man to look upon)
Who led painting steed.
Motherl' the little maiden cried,
Or e'er she reached the womau's side,
And kissed her cay-cold cheek
II have not idled in the town,
But long went wandering up and down,
The minister to seek.
'They tod me here, they told mo there
| think they Knocked me everywhere
And when found his home,
Ard begged him on my Bonded knee
To bring his book, and COME with ME,
Mother! he would not come.
Il told him how you dying lay,
And could not 20 in peace away
Without the minister
! hcgg'd him, for dear Christ, his sake,
But .h! my heart was fit to brcak,--
Mother! he would not stir.
so, though my tears were binding me,
run back, fast as fast could be,
To come again TO you;
Aud here, --close by,--ths squire met,
Who asked $50 mildly what made me fret;
And when i told him true,
will so with you, child he said,
God sends me to this dying bed
Mother, he's here, hard by
While thus the little maiden spoke,
The man, his back against an oak,
Look'd on with glistening eye.
The bride on his neck hung free,
With qulverng flank and trembling knee,
Press'd close his bonny bay;
A statelier MANA statelIer steed,
Never on greensward paced, | rede,
Than those stood there that day.
So, while the little maiden spoke,
This man, his back against an oak,
Locke on with gIisteniug eye
And folded arms and in his look,
Something that, like sermon book,
Preached All is vanity.
Blu, when the dying woman's face
Turned toward hun with wshul gaze,
lie stepp'd to where che lay;
And kneeling down, bent over hef,
Saying. ! am Minister;
Ny sister! let US pray
And well, withouten book or stole,
Goods words were printed on his soul,)
Into the dying ear
lie breathed, as 'twerej an angels strain,
The things that unto life pertain,
And deaths dark shadows clear.
lie spoke of sinners lost estate,
la Christ renewed ,--regenerate;--
Oh God most blessed decree,
That not single soul should die
Who turns repentant with the cry
BE merclful to me-
He spike of trouble, pain and toll,
Endured but for a little while
In patience, faith, and love;
Sure, III God . own time, to be
Exchanged for an eternity
OF happiness above.
Then, as the spirit ebb'd dwayj
lie raised his hands and eyes to pray
That peaceful it might pass;
And then, the orphans sobs alone
Were heard, and they knelt every one
Close round on the green grass.
such was tha sight their wondering eyes
Beheld, in heart-struck, mute surprise,
Who rein their coursers back,
just Is they found the long astray,
Who, in the heat of chase that day,
Had wandered from their track.
But each man rein'd his paving s;eed,
And lighted down, as If agreed,
In silence at his side;
And there uncovered all, they stood
1t was wholesome signt and good,
That day tor mortal pride.
For of the nobIest of the land
Was that deep hush d, e-headed band
And central in the ring,
BY that dead pauper on the ground,
Her ragged orphans clinglng round,
knelG their anointed king.
The royal minister was George the Third. I
ecdote is related on the authority OF the Rt
.orge Crabbe.