Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-12-16
THE DUMB GIRL.
What exquisite poetess has here chAnceI to be- the
mother Of dumb child 4


lolher Of a dumb child j
She Is my only gill;
asked for her as sunie most precious thing,
For all unfinished was Loves jeweed ring,
TIL set with this fair prarl;
The shade that Time brought forth could not sso
How pure how perfect, seemed the gift to lue
oh, many Noft old tune
usel to sing unto that deadened ear
And suffered not the lightest fo0tstep near,
Lest she might wake iol snon:
Ind hushed her brothers laughter while hhs Law
All needless earel might have lot them play
Twas long ere believed
Ihat this Que daughter might not spesk 10 mo;
waited aud watched, God knows how patiently
How willingly deceived
yam Love was long lhs unttlng nurse Of Faith
ana tended HOPE until 1t pined to death
Oh Il she could hut hear
Flr one short hour. iill her tongue might teach
10 call me mohgr, In that broken speech
That thrills the mothers earl
Alas those sealed lips never may be stirred
10 The deep music Of that lovely word.
My hsaft 1t sorey tires
70 see hel knee with such a reverent air
Beside her brothers at their evening prayer;
Or lift those earnest eyes
" watch our lips "a though our words size knew,
Then move her own, as the was speaking, too.
I've watched her looking up
To tbs blight wOudor Of a sunset sky
with such depth Of meaning in her eye,
That could almost hope
Inc struggling soul tooald burst its binding cords,
nj the long ptutup thoughts dow forth in words,
The chorus 0t the breezes, streams and groves,
All tho grand IausiG TO which Nature moves
Are wasted melody
To her: the world Of sound tunelsss void;
While even Science hath lis charm deiiroYrd.
Her face is very far
Her blue 'ye beautiful Of finest mould
The sOlt white brow Der which, la waves If guld
Ripples her shining hair.
AlaHl this lovely temple closed must he
For lis who mads II keeps le masterksy.
Wills lie the mind within
Should from earths Bahelelannr he kent free
Eyen that Ms STILL small vote aud slep miybt La
Heard at Its inner shrine
Through that deep hush uf soul with clearer urilli
Th'n should gfSvet murmuring heart he Flill
She seems to have a sense
Ofquiet gladness In her noiseess nlay:
she hath pleasant smile, u gentle wAv
Whose Yoiceess eoquence
Innrhes NJ hearts, thsugh had unce tha f,ar
fhat cen her JdWfr would not care for her
Thank God it Is not sol
Aud when his sons are PLAYING merrilv
She comes and leans her head upon his kuse
OH at such times / know
~ his full eye and tones subdued and mild
How his heart yearns toward bis silent child
Not ofdh gifts hpreft,
Even now How could say she did not sneak
What reai language lights her eye AMI rbs.k
And renders THANKS to Hin who left
Into her soul yot open avenues
For joy 10 enter, and for love to use.
And God IN love doth give
To her defect Il beauty of its own
And we deeper tenderness have known
Through that for which we prieve
Vet shall the seal be melted from her ear
Yea aud 1Ay voice shall I'LL it-but ilof here
When that new sense Ia given.
What rapture will It's first experience be-
That never woke to meaner melody
Than the rich songs oi heaven
70 hsdr the inll-toned anthem swelling round
While angels teach the ecstacles Of sound