TO A MOTHER ON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD.

Mother, thy loved one slumbers now

In deep, unbroken rest;

But slumbers not with smiling brow

Upon thy tender breast.

Oh, no! for Death with cruel dart,

Unheeding anguish wild,

Has rudely torn thy yearning heart,

And borne away thy child.

Thy home is drear at break of day,

And drear at set of sun;

For, lo! the grave enwraps the clay

Of thy departed one.

And vainly does thy spirit sigh,

With yearnings deep and wild,

To clasp once more within thy arms

Thy dear, thy darling child.

Cold Death has snatched thy lovely flower;

But, lo! the day draws near,

When even Death shall lose his power,

And thy sweet child appear

All glorious with immortal life,

In Eden's garden fair.

Oh, mother, mother! would'st thou meet

Thy dearly loved one there?

Oh, would'st thou join the blood-washed throng

On that immortal shore?

Oh, would'st thou swell the Conqueror's song

And greet thy child once more?

Then turn to Him who died for thee

A death of woe and pain;

And at the resurrection morn

Embrace thy child again!