THE PAUSE.

By Susanna Moodie

There is a pause in nature, ere the storm

Rushes resistless in its awful might;

There is a softening twilight, ere the morn

Expands her wings of glory into light.

There is a sudden stillness in the heart,

Ere yet the tears of wounded feeling flow;

A speechless expectation, ere the dart

Of sorrow lays our fondest wishes low.

There is a dreamy silence in the mind,

Ere yet it wakes to energy of thought;

A breathless pause of feeling, undefined,

Ere the bright image is from fancy caught.

There is a pause more holy still,

When Faith a brighter hope has given,

And, soaring over earthly ill,

The soul looks up to heaven!