Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-09-23
The Dove.

ty MARY TOWNSEND.
Twas midnight, sot mn, dark and deep,
And yaniy had courted sleep,
when worn with pain. with anguish tossd,
nor- faith and ratienc, nearly lost,
Breaking the solemn stiffness round,
gentle, soft, and murmurng sound,
Making the stiffness more profound.
j hushed my th,-agan il came
Ny heart beat f.i>tcr-still the same
Low, gentle murmur met my ear,
Approaching nearer and more near:
A single sound yet soft and clear,
And strangely fraught with memories dear
A food of clear and silvery light
Then burst upon my raPtured sight,
Filling my httle chamber quite,
And in that light bird was seen;
Not grim and black with stately men,"
Hut purely white and beautiful,
With look mild ard dutiful;
lovely bird with plumage white,
In that calm, still, and clear moonlight
Floating moment round my head,
Ii rested opposite my bed
Beside q picture, loyelier
Than heather gods, and holier;N
q Two beau babes, whose sinless eyes
Bespeak them still in Paradise
Whose loving, soft, and gentle eyes,
Tell where that land of beauty lies.
There sat the radiant white winged bird
l listened, but no sound heard
And then spoke: % Sweet bird, l sad,
." From what far country mast tEcu Etu'
Whence com'st thou, and why coni'st thou here:
Clnst thou bring aught my soul to cheer.
Hast thou STANCE ne~sl Speak, gentle dove''
And the bird answered." GOD Is LOVE"
..They tell me So G,intly said,
.'But JOY j. flown, and hope is dead,
And / am sick aud sad and weary,
And life is long and dark and dreary-
Think not thy words my spirit move !"
Sill the bird ansSered-'' COP Is LOVE-
'Some dearly loved are far away,
And some who fundy near me stay
Are sick and sad ami suffering,
While am weak and murmuiinS;
Each for the other gricyes and tries
To stay the tears that hli their eyes
WIS comes not comfJrt from above :!
Firmly hut mournfuily the dove
Distinctly answered. COP is Lc'E!'
/ started up" The world" said,
Though beautiful it once was made,
l. full of crime and misery now
Want sits many hargard brow
The warrior draws his bloody sword
Slaves tremblr at the tyrants word
Vice honorrd-yrtue soorned- We see
WHY are these ills allowed to be- :!
He raised his head. that soft-eyed dove,
As though my bol6sss he'd rcprove. .
Then bowed and snsw-red-"Gop Is LOVE
Forgive said in accent mild,
:. | would were again q child
I've wandered from the heavenly track,
And it is late to journey back;
NV wings are clip ed, l cannot soar,
] strive to mount. but DER and oer
NV feeble wings raise in vain
l iutter. sink. and fall aga'n!"
In low but earnest tones the dove
still softly inurmured-'' HoD Il Love
Thou nioyest me strangely, wondrous tisd
ay soul l. strongly, deeply stirred
NY hra.t -rowS ii;hter-rnay ! s.Ll
My mission upon earth fulfil,
Proving my love to ucd sincere,
Ry doing AL nv duty here:
s,all pa Il omissions be forgiven,
Aud shall the weary rect in heaven :!
lie spr.nd his wings. that radiant dove,
And chceriIy ausrere1-"GoD Is Lcvl.
Thanks. heavenly messenger, ] cried,
& Ken.a.u that picture still be~ldt
Srrroundrd hy the H.ht ofTru;h
ComYanIon ct for sin,uss youth;
Thou blessed tyre of Love aud te"o',
Nv hrp- aud fii'h th"ult s:iii lncT-ase'
IL ever near me, r-nt'e dove.
know. feel that 'uOJ Is Love-
. Rest d on bust Of Palas- -"-hdrtn-