MARY. WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM. MARY!—it is a gentle name, And they alone should bear it, Whose gentle thoughts and kindly deeds Proclaim them meet to wear it. MARY!-the first of whom we read Is in the Sacred Word: The blessed Virgin, undefiled, The mother of our Lord! 'Twas MARY to the Saviour knelt Sincere repentance when she felt, With pity touched, the Saviour said, "Thy sins be all forgiven !" And she who knelt a sinner, rose- MARTHA, we learn, remained at home, “Troubled with many things," While MARY ran in haste to meet Her Lord, the King of kings: And He, who truly read each heart, "MARY hath chosen that good part And when the Lord of Heaven became The lowly, crucified, Three Marys stood around the cross, 'Twas MARY sought at early dawn Then, MARY, let it be your aim Be meek and lowly-pure in heart— Like MARY-choose the better part, And early seek the Lord! TO A CHILD AT PLAY. "A beautiful and laughing thing, Just in his first apparelling Of childish loveliness!" THOU fair and lovely boy! Bright bud of beauty and of hope, Which thus upon our eyes doth ope, Radiant with mirth and joy !— Now clambering on my knee, With spirit buoyant as the air, How doth it joy my heart, To see thee frolic thus, sweet boy, In very wantonness of joy, Happy, as thus thou art! Would grief might ever fly As lightly o'er thy head as now; That care might never cloud thy brow, Nor sorrow dim thine eye! But that, indeed, I know 'Twere vain to wish-such were a lot An all-wise Providence gives not But oh! dear boy, may all The blessings which a God, all-wise And good, may shower from the skies, Ever upon thee fall! And, come what troubles may-Whatever ills betide,-may HE Who orders all things well, to thee "Give strength, as is thy day;"— And, when this life is o'er, Translate thee to that "better land," Where sin and sorrow come not, and Where death shall be no more! 66 TO MYRA, ON HER BIRTH-DAY. Light to thy path, bright creature! I would charm Even as now thou deemest, and flow on WILLIS. For thee, my fair and gentle friend ! Sweet child!--thus innocent and fair! |