102 TO ilES. J*** w*** 



Of nurse, of-wife, of mother, and of friend ; 



Or, in a word, of Woman ; for that word, 



If once the soul within dii'ect aright, 



Combines, includes, all that is great and good. 



In human life. Devotedness of heart. 



Unwearying and unwavering, takes the sting 



From toil and sorrow, and rewards itself. 



How light is labour in a cause we love ! 



How sweet the recompense when the still voice 



Whispers, in accents only to be heard 



Down in the depths of mental soUtude, 



" Well done ! " And that sweet recompense is thine. 



Oh, seek not, theu, the muse's feeble praise, 



Empty and evanescent at the best, 



Too often hollow and most insincere : 



Let thy reward be sought, and surely found, 



In the glad consciousness of doing well. 



In thy afflicted husband's grateful smile. 



And let not these or any other words, 



Though offered in sincerity of pui'pose, 



Assume a value that is not their own : 



Full well I know a tribute offered thee, 



Li falling short of actual circumstance, 



Is but the rainbow's shadow, faint and dim. 



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