The Summons of Love.

I

SUMMONED by love's sweet call, she flew,
True faith her woman's heart sustaining;
Old friends fast fading from her view,
With hope she turned to regions new,
Yet oh! how tedious in attaining!

2

Afar she saw a beckoning hand

In her life's dream, and one dear voice Seemed to announce, in accents bland, A welcome to yon eastern land,

Bidding her evermore rejoice.

3

But yet, I ween, she struggled sore
Thus to leave each familiar face
And spot embalmed in memory's store,
Half the wide world to wander o'er

E'er she should find a resting-place.

4

But harder still to leave behind

That sacred sod, where oft she wept

O'er one, the gentlest of her kind,

Scarce twelve sad months to Heav'n resigned, For there an angel-mother slept !

5

But He whose blessing still attends
A faithful daughter's fond devotion,
Who mercy with affliction blends,
And to the mourner comfort sends,
Guided her safe across the ocean.

6

Lo! a hand waves from shore. 'Tis his!
Soon to press hers in gladdening grasp ;
Thenceforth she feels her own it is,

And full once more her cup of bliss
As to his heart he her doth clasp!

7

Welcome! thrice welcome, cousin! wife!

Beloved so long, though gained so late;

No more to part again in life,

We'll brave together this world's strife,

And love shall ever guard our gate!

8

A year has passed-and, watchful still,

Love at his post unwearied stands; Long may he thus his part fulfil;

Nor age nor custom serve to chill

The flame once lit by Heaven's commands!

To a Young Girl on her Confirmation.

I

BEHOLD, attired in robes of bridal white,

A youthful maiden reverently kneels;

Angels look down from blest abodes of light,

While she, with upward glance, to Heaven appeals,

The inward struggles of her heart reveals,

To worldly pomps and follies bids adieu,

And her baptismal vows doth solemnly renew.

2

Bending o'er her fair form with outstretched hands,
The mitred priest a blessing doth invoke,
That she, obeying ever God's commands

Which He to Israel's host from Sinai spoke,

May ne'er His mercy slight nor wrath provoke ;
Defended by His mighty power and grace,
Till privileged in heaven to see Him face to face!

3

She's gone! and nought left save this lock of hair
To tell of all her living charms and grace!
Dear undecaying relic! fresh and fair

As when it still adorned her smiling face;

In this a pledge of immortality we trace:
Reanimate in beauty from the tomb,

Our "Constance" shall arise in Paradise to bloom!