MRS. HELEN TYLER BEACH,

How strange that One who yesterday

Shed radiance round her sphere,

Thus, in the prime of life and health,

Should slumber on the bier.

How sad that One who cheer'd her home

With love's unvarying grace,

Should leave at hearth-stone and at board

Nought save a vacant place.

The beaming hope that bright and fair

Around her cradle shone,

Made cloudless progress year by year,

With lustre all its own,

While still unselfish and serene

Her daily course she drew,

To every generous impulse warm

To every duty true:

Yet all these pure and hallowed charms

To favor'd mortals given,

That make their loss to earth so great,

Enhance the gain of Heaven.