She told us that she soon should die, And bade us love each other well. REAL MOURNERS. CRABBE. "She said, that when the war was o'er, Perhaps we might our father see; But if we never saw him more That God our Father then would be. "She kissed us both-and then she died!- "But when my father came not here, I thought, if we could find the sea, We should be sure to meet him there, And once again might happy be. "We hand in hand went many a mile, And asked our way of all we met; And some did sigh, and some did smile, And we of some did victuals get. "But when we reach'd the sea, and found 'Twas one great water round us spread; We thought, that father must be drowned, And cried, and wished, we both were dead. "So we returned to mother's grave, And only long with her to be; For Goody, when this bread she gave, Said, father died beyond the sea. "Then since no parent here we have, We'll go and search for God around: Lady, , pray, can you tell us where That God, our Father, may be found! He lives in heaven, mother said, And Goody says, that mother's there; "So, if she thinks we want his aid, I think, perhaps she'll send him here." I clasped the prattlers to my breast, And cried, "Come both, and live with me; I'll clothe you, feed you, give you rest, And will a second mother be: "And God shall be your Father still; 'Twas he in mercy sent me here, To teach you to obey his will, Your steps to guide, your hearts to cheer." YES! there are real mourners- I have seen And to be useful as resigned she aimed: And sadly-sacred held the parting scene; place With double interest would she nightly trace: For long the courtship was, and he.would say, Each time he sailed-" This once and then the day :" Yet prudence tarried; but when last he went, He drew from pitying love a full consent. Happy he sailed, and great the care she took, That he should softly sleep, and smartly look; White was his better linen, and bis check Was made more trim than any on the deck; And every comfort men at sea can know, Was hers to buy, to make, and to bestow: For he to Greenland sailed, and much she told, How he should guard against the climate's cold Yet saw not danger; dangers he'd withstood, Nor could she trace the fever in his blood: His messmates smiled at flushings in hi cheek, And he too smiled, but seldom would he speak; For now he felt the danger, felt the pain, With grievous symptoms he could not explain : Hope was awakened as for home he sailed, And quickly sank, and never more prevailed. |