The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-08-02
A Ballad of the Hours.


And toiled to earn her daily bread
AS years slow came and went.
She loved beside the open door
To sit at close Of day,
And watch the sunset glories
As they slowly paled away.
And once when twilight shadows
O'er hill and dale were spread,
Through memory'S haunted chambers
She walked with reYerent tread.
When, lifting up her eyeIids,
She saw amid the gloom
4 dim and mystic company
Were circling round the room.
They clasped their hands together
And they sang, "The Hours are VIC,
Come from your past existence
To bear you Company
Their voices were like singing,
Or the chimes of silver bells;
And some were crowned with amaranth
And some with asphodels.
Names, half forgot, they chanted,
And long-lost ringing laughter,
With which her own once blended,
Like echoes, followed after,
One little sprite came near her
With noiseless, tripping tread,
Hnd slowly reaching forth his hand
he laid it on her head.
"This hair is very white" said he,
"But I remember well
When it around your shoulders
Like captured sunbeams fell.
tive seen you chase the butterflies
And clasp your hands in glee
] come from YOUR lost childhood
Do you remember me ?"-
Then a heart-chord long since silent
Atthe master-touch aBOke,
And tears rose TO her faded eyes,
Though not n word she spoke.
Then another form approached her,
Oh, very fair was he;
His robes were like the sunshine
Which glitters on the sea.
He waved wreath of roses,
And he danced around her chair,
And sang, "FOr you painted
Such pictures in the air,
~ made your life a joyous song
To dancing measure set
YoH surely do remember me?
You never can forget 2''-
Sadly the woman answered,
"Your face I well do know,
But the picture which you painted
All faded long ago.
Then another stood beside her
In simple raiment drest,
But, in her sweet humility,
She far outshone the rest.
Said she, "Ton form of brightness,
Arched rainbows DER your head,
I took them down and gave you
The clear blue sky instead.
"You sadly missed the rainbows,
For the tears were in your eyes,
And you could not see an angel
Through all nay dark disguise.
"Now tell me while linger,
Am q welcome guest,
Though once | walked beside you
In sober raiment drest 2"-
"Though from my hearts bright garden,
The woman softly said,
1ou took some gorgeous blossoms,
You left Hearts~Ease instead. -
Then very low and tenderIy
Another voice did say,
"Do you remember me ? I came
Upon your weddinr-day.
"Thc old church bells sent merrily
Their glad notes every where,
Like a thousand benedictions
Soft pulsing through the air.
Then where the moon shone brightest
She raised her wasted hand
And showed a name, deep craven,
On q slender golden band.
Said she, 'sWhcre yonder willow
Waves in tAe darkness lone,
A name like this is written
Upon q marble stone.
"That grave is very lopely,
But wherefore should ! weep
That God, in His compassion,
Gives his beloved sleep?
"a little while l journey on
Among these shadows dim;
Eor, though he can not come to me,
l sure can go to him.
With a glory resting round him
A Stranger Form drew near;
But the wondrous words he uttered
None bat herself might hear.
Her hands she meekly folded,
And done with earthly strife,
She said, "Thou, too, art welcome,
0 Last-Hour of my life"
Then, like one whose work is finished,
Her hands across her breast,
She calmly closed her eyes and slept,
In Deaths serenest rest.
And the phantom train together
Passed through the open door,
And in the little cottage
There was silence eyermore.
----$-~--