The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-08
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.
Hom Dickens's Household Words.
The Household Jewels.

Ftoss Dickens,s Household Words.
The Household Jewels.
A traveller, from journeying
In countries far away,
Repassed his Threshold at the close
OF one calm Sabbath day;
A voice of love, a comedy face,
A kiss of chaste delight,
Were the first 10 welcome him
On that blesaed Sabbath night.
He stretched his limbs upon the hearth.
Before it, friendly blaze,
And conjured up mixed memories
Ofgay and gloomy days;
And felt that none q gentle soul, .
However far he roam,
Can e'er forego, can Ter forget,
The quiet joys Of home.
"Bring me my children !" cried the sire,
With eager, earnest tone;
81 long to press them and to mark
How lovely they have grown;
Twelve weary months have passed away
Since went FER the sea,
To feel how sad and lone was
Without my babes and thee"
"Refresh thee, AZ Ills needful, !" said
The fair and faithful wife,
The while her pensive features paled,
And stirred with inward strife;
"Refresh thee, husband Of my heart,
ask 1t az a boon;
Our children are reposing, love;
Thou shalt behold them soon"
She spread the meal, she filled the cup,
She pressed him to partake;
He sat down blithsly at the board
And all for her sweet sake;
But when the frugal feast was done,
The thankful prayer preferred,
Again affections fountain flowed;
Again its voice was heard
"Bring me my children, darling wife,
I'm in an ardent mood;
My soul lacks purer aliment,
long for other food;
Bring forth my children to my gaze,
Or ere l rage or weep,
! yearn to kiss their happy eyes
Before the hour of Sleep"
al have question yet to ask;
Be patient, husband dear.
A stranger one suspicious morn,
Did send some jewels here;
Until to take them from my care,
But yesterday he came;
And restored them with sigh;
Dost thou approve or blame'"
81 marvel much sweet wife, that thou,
Shouldn't breathe such words to me;
Restore to man, resign to God,
Whateer is lent to thee;
Restore it with willing heart,
Be grateful for the trust;
Whate 'er may tempt or try as, wife,
Let us be ever just"
She took him by the passive hand,
And up the moonlit stair,
She led him to their bridal bed,
With mute and mournful air;
She turned the cover down, and there,
in grave-liks garments dressed,
Lay the twin children Of their love,
In death q serenest rest.
"These were the Jewels lent to me,
Which God has deigned to own,
The precious caskets still remain,
But, ah, the gems are flown;
But thou didst teach me to resign
What God alone can claim;
He giveth and he takes away
Blest be his Holy name!"
The father gazed upon his babes,
The mother dropped apart,
While all the woman . sorrow gushed
From her o'erburdened heart;
And with the striving of her grief,
Which rung the tears she shed,
Were mingled low and loving words
To the unconscious dead.
When the sad sire had looked his fill,
He yelled each breathless face,
And down in reimbursement bowed,
For comfort and for grace;
With the deep eloquence Of woe,
Poured forth his secret soul,
Rose up, and stood erect and calm,
In spirit healed and whole.
RESTRAIN thy tears, poor wife, he said,
81 learn this lesson still,
God gives, and God can take away,
Blest be His holy will
B|est are my children, for they lipc
From sin and sorrow free,
And am | not all joyless, wife,
With faith, hope, love and thee!