60 YELLOW GOAT's-BEARD. 



While sin and death, unhallow'd guests, assail 

 All hearts, all homes, the thrones of mightiest 

 kings ; 

 Nestling amid the flowers, in hawthorn dale. 

 By murmuring streams, where sweet the wild 

 bird sings, 

 Marring all earthly joys, and seeking ever 

 To mar e'en Christ's own peace, which faileth 

 never 1 



Ah why ! mid such as bear the hallow'd name, 



The name of Christ who won them for His own, 

 Bursts there no glorious chant of glad acclaim, 



No cloud of incense rising to His throne ? 

 Scant flowers and fruits crown now the Christian 

 year; 

 Rank weeds spring up where roses ought to 

 blow ; 

 The prostrate vine, deplored with many a tear, 



Its clusters bruised, its boughs defaced and low ; 

 Its fence broke down, the wild boar's ruthless power 

 Crushing with heavy tread each bud and flower. 



