154 CLASSICAL MODERN POETRY. 



She saw them in their loneliness, 



Unheeded, round her bow, 

 And, in their sorrow, kiss each tress 



That hid her lifeless brow ! 



They were in want none came to cheer ; 



Even hope in darkness slept ! 

 The spirit saw each burning tear, 



And as she saw she wept ; 

 And bending then her deathless eye 



Far through the slumbering air, 

 Where God sat in the starry sky, 



She breathed a mother's prayer : 



" Eternal Spirit ! comfort now 



Yon mourners in their dark abode ; 

 They have no parent oh ! be thou 



Their guardian and their God. 

 Cold is the breast where they have clung 



And prattled in their infant glee ; 

 Closed are the lips, and mute the tongue, 



That would have turn'd their hearts to thee. 

 " Then, oh, bind up the broken heart, 



Which few in yon cold world will heal ; 

 Where is the shield to break the dart 



That misery's victims feel ? 

 Yes, thou shalt plume the spirit's wing 



That bends on thee faith's trusting eye ; 

 Though tempests gather, she shall spring 



In sunshine to the sky. 



" Then smile upon their opening bloom ; 



Let virtue lead their hearts above ; 

 Till, past the darkness of the tomb, 



They share once more a mother's love ! " 

 She ceased an arch of light appeared, 



Love's brightening banner to her given : 

 The spirit knew her prayer was heard, 



And bore away for heaven. 



D. MOORE. 



