The parting struggle all was mine, 6 "Tis the survivor dies :" JOHN NEWTON. ON THE DEATH OF AN INFANT DAUGHTER. Sweet babe, she glanc'd into our world to see A sample of our misery, Then turned away her languid eye To drop a tear or two, and die. Sweet babe, she tasted of life's bitter cup, Refused to drink the potion up! But turn'd her little head aside, Disgusted with the taste, and died. Sweet babe, she listen'd for a while to hear Our mortal griefs, then turn'd her ear To angels' harps and songs, and cried, To join their notes celestial, sighed, and died. Sweet babe no more, but seraph now, Yes, thou art fled, and saints a welcome sing, Like Samuel, early in the temple found, CUNNINGHAM. ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD AT DAYBREAK. BY THE LATE REV. R. CECIL “Let me go, for the day breaketh." CEASE here longer to detain me, Fondest mother! drowned in wo; Morn advances-let me go. See yon orient streak appearing, Harbinger of endless day; new-born soul away. Calls my Lately launched, a trembling stranger, On this world's wild boisterous flood; Gladly I return to God! Now my cries shall cease to grieve thee, Now my trembling heart find rest ; Softer pillow than thy breast. Weep not o'er these eyes that languish, Upward turn’d towards their home; While they wait to see thee come. There, my mother! pleasures centre Weeping, parting, care, or wo, Ne'er our Father's house shall enter Morn advances—let me go. As through this calm, this holy dawning Silent glides my parting breath, To an everlasting morning Gently close my eyes in death. Blessings endless, richest blessings, Pour their streams upon thy heart ! (Though no language yet possessing) Breathes my spirit ere we part. Yet to leave thee sorrowing rends me, Though again his voice I hear; Rise! May every grace attend thee, Rise! and seek to meet me there! A MOTHER'S GRIEF. To mark the sufferings of the babe, That cannot speak its wo; Yet know not why they flow; That fain would ask relief, Yet can but tell of agony, This is a mother's grief. Through dreary days and darker nights To trace the march of death The quick and shortened breath ; And pray that struggle brief, Though all is ended with its close, This is a mother's grief. To see in one short hour decayed The hope of future years ; How vain a mother's tears ; O'er what was once the chief This is a mother's grief. Yet when the first wild throb is past of anguish and despair, And think my child is there, This yields the heart relief, DALE. THE ORPHAN. UPON my father's new-clos'd grave Deep lay the winter's snow; Green, now, the grass waves o'er his head, And tall the tomb-weeds grow. Along life's road no parent's hand My homeless footsteps led ; And rais'd my throbbing head. But other hearts, Lord, thou hast warm'd With tenderness benign ; The stranger's hand by thee is mov'd To be the orphan's stay ; Hath taught us how to pray. Thou putt'st a new song in our mouth, A song of praise and joy: O may we not our lips alone, But hearts, in praise employ! To Him who little children took, And in his bosom held, Their rising fears dispellid; To him, while flow'rs bloom on the bank Or lambs sport on the lea; While larks with morning hymns ascend Or birds chant on the tree; To him let ev'ry creature join In prayer, and thanks, and praise: GRAHAME. RESIGNATION. Whex musing sorrow weeps the past, And mourns the present pain; How sweet to think of peace at last, And feel that death is gain! 'Tis not that murm’ring thoughts arise, And dread a Father's will; And would not suffer still, |