Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-04-28
written for the Beacon |
Passing Away.

] saw young girl bending low DER q curl
That had strayed from Its fasining away,
And the sweet glow OF health tinged her beautiful
cheek,
And the future looked smiling and gay.
As the clear Iivid fash illumines the gloom
OF yon storm-eoud so dark to the view,
So youths brightest hopes expectantly bloom,
For tonight she will make her debut
But the Spoiler was there, whispering CULLEN ~
Attuned TO but innocent gIes,
And she fell--sadly fell--ihat damsei 90 fair,
Overwhelmed III her own misery.
Alone sadly rheze cyrnsss DOH gase. \
Unwept By the gay sinful world,
mothers heart-tears but moisten the grave,
The grave OF that beautiful girl.
I saw young bride in her pleasure and pride
Look down on her sister in shame, -
And the roses OF gladness maniled heF cheek
A S she fondled her husband by name.
The path Of her lifeway was beautiful now;
Her cup oerlowing with bliss;
The cares Of existence sat light on brow,
Beginning and ending with this.
But saw her again, and the years that were gone
Had checkered that liieway with tears,
And the hopes Of her wifchood lie mangled and
torn,
Deserted by all save It's cares.
And the beat OF that bosom, once trusting and
warm
Pulsed cold through DECAY and neglect,
Priyhtion aud sorrow had wasted form
That once was so qucenly erect.
81 saw young mother in tenderness bend
Der the couch Of her sumbering boy, ="
And an excess Of fondness flooded her heart
AS she kissed her sweet darling in 10y.
Dear vistas Of life to that mother were bright
When she saw the proud place he d attain
And che linked his young heart with world thA,
was right,
And then she caressed him again
But the Angel Of Death In passing that way
Disputed her claim to the prize;
And her innocent babe but fingered day,
Then wendell his way TO the skies
It's smile Of existence was passing aud brief
Its iarry but fleeing below,
Her lullaby carol 8 now changed into grief
Her song TO the wailing Of noe.
! saw q bright youth in virtue and truth
Full chrrged with collegiate lore
And hone and his country welled high 10 biz
heart
AZ he stepped on her stormed-cradled shore.
His standard Of ethics WAS noble and high,
His purpose could not be outdone;
The honor ofhis house transmitted by sire
Should see no decline in the son
Alas for that birth right,--for purposes naueht
It's acres now labor with tares,
And merged at the shrine Of Frivollty's court,
is the home OF his ienderer years
Uncanny the winds through the corridors howl.
And musty the mouldering wals,
While spectral and grim the bat and the owl
Now tenant his ancestors halls,
saw the fond lover devotedly smile
On the dear trusting girl by his aide;
And brFd Ia ia ~, AT a u.
He besought her 70 be his sweet bride
And her ebon eyes umid, were lifted above.
And sbyly their love did unfold,
And clasped TO his bosom--ihc first Kiss 5f love
And, 'the old, old story, was told
But The curtain OF fate revealed them again;
The scene was far different now;
Ills hopes and his heart-strings were rcnded IN
twain
As he wiped the denthadamp from her brow.
And paier and p,lcr and weaker her lips
Commlngled his name with PRAYER;
The beautiful morn OF bis life was eclipsed
BY the dsath-shadows gathering there
! saw a young husband who took to his arms
The dearest Of treasures wife,
Proud Of the privilege to shield her soft charms
Aud cheer her the rest OF his life.
Sweet pledges in time OF reciprocal love
Climb his knee at the close Of the day,
And merrily HE To The field for a ride,
As he ,rundles his last load Of hay
Then home-life was sweet ul the lempter had
won
His hearts dearest idol away
Now lonely he weeps over pledges undone,
And his little ones wander astray
The kiss Of affection will never more greet
His return as be enters the door;
And the prattle aud gambol Of innocent feet
VIII welcome his coming no more