THE YOUNGEST.

I ROCKED her in her cradle,

And laid her in the tomb. She was the youngest; What fireside circle hath not felt the charm

Of that sweet tie? The youngest ne'er grew old.
The fond endearment of our earlier days

We keep alive in them, and when they die,
Our youthful joys we bury with them.

THE SPIRIT'S WHISPER.

"Dost thou catch

The gentle whisper of that angel voice? "

"Unto mine ear

There comes a strain, like music heard in dreams."

SWEET mother, do not weep!

The joy of sainted spirits now is mine;

I roam the fields of light, with those who keep Bright watch, where heaven's own golden portals shine.

I am the babe no more,

Who gave its feeble wailing to thine ear;
Free from the cumbering clay, I mount, I soar,
Upward and onward, through a boundless sphere.

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O, couldst thou know how fair,

How full of blessedness, this better land,
Thou wouldst rejoice thy child in safety there
Had place for ever 'mid the angel band.

I may not tell thee all

Its light and loveliness; its hymns of joy
Upon a mortal ear may never fall,
And tongues immortal can alone employ :

But, O, 't is sweet to be

A sinless dweller 'mid its radiant bowers!
To join its seraph-songs of harmony,

To breathe the incense of its fadeless flowers,

To dwell no more with pain,

To shed no tears, — to feel no panting breath.
Sweet mother, do not grieve for me again,
I am so blessed; I bless the hand of death.

Turn with unwavering trust

From the green earth-bed, where my body lies; Thou didst but lay its covering in the dust,

Thy child yet lives, will live, beyond the skies.

There we shall meet again :

O, yes! sweet mother, meet to part no more! I'll welcome thee with heaven's angelic train, And lead thee to the Saviour we adore.

WE WATCHED HER BREATHING.

"She sleeps;

Her smile hath passed away,

As dies a ripple on the sea."

WE watched her breathing through the night,

Her breathing soft and low,

As on her breast the wave of life
Kept heaving to and fro.

So silently we seemed to speak,

So slowly moved about,

As we had lent her half our powers

To eke her being out.