The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-10-14
1ifer'a1p.
THE DOvE

THE DOvE-
Twas midnight? solemn, dark an'
| deep!
And vainly had I courted sleep,
When worn with pain, with anguisl
| toss'd.
Hope, faith and patience nearly lost,
I heard q sound, gentle sound
Breaking the solemn stiffness round:
A gentle. soft and murmuring sound,
Making the stiffness more profound.
I hushed my breathl again it camel
My heart beat faster, still the same
Low, gentle murmur met my ear,
Approaching nearer and more near;
A single sound, yet soft and clear.
And strangely fraught swith memories
| dear.
A Hood OF clear aud silver light
Then burst upon my raptured sight,
Filling my little chamber quite;
And in that light bird was seen.
Not grim a.d black with stately meln,
But purely white and beautiful,
With look so mild and dutlful;
A lovely bird with plnmsge white,
In that calm, still az clear moonlight.
Floating \ moment ronnd my head,
1t rested opposite my bed.
Beside picture. lovelier
Than heather god. and holier;
Two beauteous babes, whose sinless
eyes
Bespeak them still in Paradise.
Whose loving. soft and gentle eyes
Tell where the land of beauty lies.
There sat the radiant white winged
bird;
listened, but no sound Iheard;
And then I spoke, "sweet bird, said,
From what far country hsst thou fed?
Whence comeet thou; and why comest
thou here,
Can st thou bring ought my soul to
cheer?
Hast thou strange news? Speak, gen.
tie dove!
And the bird answered. "God is love. :"
They tell me So" I family said,
"But Joy has flown and nope is dead,
And I am sick, and sad, and weary,
And life is long, and dark, and dreary;
Think not thy words my spirit move
Still the bird answered, "God is love.
Some dearly loved are far away,
And some, who fondly near me stay,
Are sick. and sad, and suffering,
While am weak and murmuring.
Eon oh for Sl.a nkhAr 49,
To stay the tears that fill his eyes;
Why comes not comfort from above?
Firmly, but mournfully, the dove
Distinctly answered, "God is love-"
I started up, "the world" said,
Though beautiful it snce wac made,
Is full of crime and mieery now;
Want sits on many q. .hsggard brow:
The worrier wields his bloody sword;
Slaves tremble at the tyrant's word,
Vice honored, virtue scorned, we see;
Why are these ills allowed to be?"
he raised his head, this soft eyed dove
As though my boldness he'd reprove.
Then how'd and answered, "God is
love-"
Forgive, said in accents mild,
I, would I were again aichild;
I've wandered far from the heavenl y
track,
And it is late to travel back;
My wingsx are clipped, and l cannot
soar,
I try to mount, but Der and o'ef
fiutter, sink aud nfiragxu4ain:
In low. but earnest tones, tu~
Still softly musmured. "God il love-.
Thou mov's me most strangely, most
wonirous bird,
Nv soul is strangely, deeply stirred;
Nv heart grows lighter, may yet
NV mission on earth fulhll,
Proving my love to God sincere.
By doing all my duty here.
Shall past omissions be forgiven,
And shall the weary be at rest in heav>
en-?
He spread his wings, that radiant dove
And cheerfully answered, "God is love.
Thanks, heavenly messenger, l cried,
Remain that picture still beside:
Surrounded by the light of truth,
Companion meet for sinless youth,
Thou blessed type Of love and peace,
NV hope and faith thou'lt still increase;
Re ever near me, gentle dove.
I know. I feel that "God is love"