Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-24
NO. 20.
For the journal.
IL P E.

To Mrs. Noses Wells, in memory of one rho
sleeps tn Rio Joneiro, above rhose grace for
many summers the birds hare sun0, andfhe
June roses blossonled
Twas midnight's calm and holy hour,
flushed was each sound in grove and bower,
While Luna, DER the slumbering earth
Her mellow rays was pouring forth,
The stars looked down as calm and bright.
As when their new formed glorious light
First shone in Eden's garden fair,
Fer sin or sorrow entered there.
Alone in agony of grief
Too deep to find in tears relief,
saw mother, pale and worn,
Bend DER the couch of her frst-born,
On whom Death had so lightly breathed
He seemed as yet, to eyes deceived,
To slnmber; for upon his face,
Remained not cen single trace
TO whisper how the soul had striven
Fer it regained its native Heaven.
She thought it hard while in youths bloom,
Before the evil days had come,
Or ever in the halls of Fame
He had found space to write his name
The grave should shut him from her sight,
The Spoalsr should her treasure blight,
And kneeling, fervently she prayed
That with her child she might be laid,
Might leave this world, so dark and drear,
Which now had naught her heart to cheer.
While thus in agony she prayed,
A hand was on her shoulder laid,
Quickly she started in surprise
And upward raised her wondering eyes.
Bent e'er her, in the moons pale light
There stood form arrayed in white;
She wore an earnest, mournful look,
With so much sympathy bespoke
l knew twas Pity-she had flown
Silent to weep with her alone.
She ope'd the pent-up fount of grief,
The mother found, in tears, relief,
But still she sighed for something more,
Pity reliered, but could not cure.
While gazing thus in mute surprise
Another vision met my eyes
Joyous as morning, calm as even,
With much of earth, yet more of Heaven
Lighting her face-with graceful mein,
She passed the moon-draped forms between,
With pleasure beaming in her face,
She entered PHYS vacant place
Calmly she reasoned on the sin
Committed in thus murmuring
Against His just and holy will
Who ever 'doeth all things WE'LL"
| Had God seen fit that child to spare
He might have silvered DER your hair
Long months ere this, with shining waves,
And laid it mid the tiny graves.
Five children you have left to love you,
And the blue heaven that smiles above you
Tells you that loved ones wait you there,
With him whose voice went out in prayer
For God and mother, while unseen
The boatman, pale, crossed DER the stream,
(The Egean stream whose turbid waves
Roll over many shipwrecked slaves
Lured on by Bacchus' flowing bowls
Till they awake, lost, undone souls j
"And to the land beyond the river
Unheeding the hearts broken quiver
Bore far away, and high above us
His spirit, to the friends who love US.
There's not sigh, groan or tear
That wrings our hearts with anguish here
But comes in mercy from above
| Sent by the Father, in his love
To purify us and refine,
Cleanse us from dross, fit us to shine
Like polished stones and jewels rare
In His eternal temple, where
If faithful to the trust He's given
You'll one day meet that child in Heaven"
Gently Withdrawing Sorrows dart,
Hope healed the mothers broken heart,
Then borne on glittering pinions, light
She quickly vanished from my sight"
L. s. G..
Bath, Jan. 10Th, 1870.