Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

children, and while he commended to them that gentle forbearance which is the child of love and parent of desirable peace, he absolved them both from all duty of special obedience, and gave to them the right to rank with him in the race of families, but below him in patriarchal and political authority.

"Go, my son, and be master of thy tent and thy flock; no more can I exact obedience from thee; no more need thy conscience excite in thee to meward more than filial reverence. Go, be the head of thine house, and may God bless thee in thine, as he has blessed me in thee."

The nuptial benediction of Eve was breathed almost in silence over her daughter, whom she kissed with maternal fondness, and lifted up her voice and wept.

The sacrificial flame ascended from the altar, and through the clear, pure atmosphere above and around them burst forth a thousand stars, ere yet the posthumous light of the sun had passed from the west.

Cain went silently and sullenly down the hill, darkening in soul.

The wedded pair rose from before the altar, and handin-hand they sought their home.

Was it the evening breeze amongst acacia sprays that poured such sweetness out? Or was it the multitude of angelic visitors invisibly thronging the air, that struck the chords of their harps, and sent up, with the incense from the altar, their epithalamium for the first marriage of the children of men? If it was, their voices of praise and thanksgiving were not more acceptable than the incense that went up from the hearts of Abel and his wife.

LINES.

BY FRANCES B. M. BROTHERSON.

I

WOULD I were a star-a quiet star,

Throned gloriously in yonder azure sky, Shedding a flow of silvery light afar,

Like the mild radiance of a seraph's eye. From that high home, beloved one, on thee

Forever should my raptured vision rest—

And like a fairy dream, each hour would be,
That found me thus with thy dear presence blest.

I would I were a zephyr-balmy, light-
Laden with breathings of the gentle Spring;
I'd bathe thy lips and cheek with a delight
Calm as the sweepings of an angel's wing.
Amid the clusters of thy shining hair

I'd linger, envious of that glorious brow
Whose dignity would grace a king, to wear-
When brave and loyal hearts before him bow.

I would I were a spirit-bright and fair,

To guard thee from life's ills with Love's own might, Near thee for aye-at morn—or noonday's glare; And 'mid the hush of lone, mysterious night:

Then ever at the holy twilight hour,

My tireless wing should overshadow thee: And thou wouldst bless the soothing, unseen power, That wooed thy soul with sweetest harmony.

It

may not be-yet if in yon bright world,
My soul shall put a robe of Glory on;

When Love's broad banner o'er me is unfurled,
And golden harps proclaim a victory won-
I shall be ever near thee-thou shalt feel

Soft, sweet, low whispers round thy spirit come. Blest, blest were I, if they to thee reveal

The radiant glory of my far off home.

[graphic]
« AnteriorContinuar »