LEFT BEHIND.

Look at this starbeam! From its place of birth,
It has come down to greet us here below;
Now it alights unwearied on this earth,

Nor storm nor night have quench'd its heavenly glow.

Unbent before the winter's rugged blast,
Unsoiled by this sad planet's tainted air,
It sparkles out from yon unmeasured vast,
Bright 'mid the brightest, 'mid the fairest fair.

Undimm'd it reaches me; but yet alone :

The thousand gay companions that took wing Along with it have perish'd one by one,

Scatter'd o'er space like blossoms of the spring.

Some to yon nearer orbs have sped their course,

Yon city's smoke has quench'd a thousand more; Myriads in yon dark cloud have spent their force;

A few stray gleams are all that reach our shore.

And so with us! How many, who began

Life's race with us, are dropping by the way; Losing themselves in darkness one by one,

From the glad goal departing wide astray!

When we shall reach the kingdom of the blest, How few who started with us shall we find Arriving or arrived, for glorious rest!

How many shall we mourn as left behind !*

"Pauci læta arva tenemus. Virgil, Eneid, VI.

THE MEETING-PLACE.

WHERE the faded flower shall freshen,--
Freshen never more to fade;
Where the shaded sky shall brighten,-
Brighten never more to shade:

Where the sun-blaze never scorches ;
Where the star-beams cease to chill;

Where no tempest stirs the echoes
Of the wood, or wave, or hill:
Where the morn shall wake in gladness,
And the noon the joy prolong,
Where the daylight dies in fragrance,

'Mid the burst of holy song:

Brother, we shall meet and rest

'Mid the holy and the blest!

Where no shadow shall bewilder,
Where life's vain parade is o'er,
Where the sleep of sin is broken,

And the dreamer dreams no more:

Where the bond is never severed ;

Partings, claspings, sob and moan, Midnight waking, twilight weeping, Heavy noontide, all are done : Where the child has found its mother, Where the mother finds the child, Where dear families are gathered, That were scattered on the wild : Brother, we shall meet and rest 'Mid the holy and the blest !

Where the hidden wound is healed,
Where the blighted life re-blooms,
Where the smitten heart the freshness
Of its buoyant youth resumes:

Where the love that here we lavish
On the withering leaves of time,
Shall have fadeless flowers to fix on
In an ever spring-bright clime:
Where we find the joy of loving,
As we never loved before,—
Loving on, unchilled, unhindered,
Loving once and evermore :

Brother, we shall meet and rest,

'Mid the holy and the blest!

Where a blasted world shall brighten

Underneath a bluer sphere,

And a softer, gentler sunshine

Shed its healing splendour here :

Where earth's barren vales shall blossom, Putting on their robe of green,

Be where only wastes have been : Where a King in kingly glory,

Such as earth has never known,

Shall assume the righteous sceptre,
Claim and wear the holy crown :

Brother, we shall meet and rest,
Mid the holy and the blest.