The Two Children.

Heavy hangs the rain-drop From the burdened spray; Heavy broods the damp mist On uplands far away.

Heavy looms the dull sky, Heavy rolls the sea; And heavy throbs the young heart Beneath that lonely tree.

Never has a blue streak Cleft the clouds since morn; Never has his grim fate Smiled since he was born.

Frowning on the infant, Shadowing childhood’s joy Guardian-angel knows not That melancholy boy.

Day is passing swiftly Its sad and sombre prime; Boyhood sad is merging In sadder manhood’s time:

All the flowers are praying For sun, before they close, And he prays too--unconscious-- That sunless human rose.

Blossom--that the west-wind Has never wooed to blow, Scentless are thy petals, Thy dew is cold as snow!

Soul--where kindred kindness, No early promise woke, Barren is thy beauty, As weed upon a rock.

Wither--soul and blossom! You both were vainly given; Earth reserves no blessing For the unblest of heaven!

Child of delight, with sun-bright hair, And sea-blue, sea-deep eyes! Spirit of bliss! What brings thee here Beneath these sullen skies?

Thou shouldst live in eternal spring, Where endless day is never dim; Why, Seraph, has thine erring wing Wafted thee down to weep with him?

“Ah! not from heaven am I descended, Nor do I come to mingle tears; But sweet is day, though with shadows blended; And, though clouded, sweet are youthful years.

“I--the image of light and gladness-- Saw and pitied that mournful boy, And I vowed--if need were--to share his sadness, And give to him my sunny joy.

“Heavy and dark the night is closing; Heavy and dark may its biding be: Better for all from grief reposing, And better for all who watch like me--

“Watch in love by a fevered pillow, Cooling the fever with pity’s balm Safe as the petrel on tossing billow, Safe in mine own soul’s golden calm!

“Guardian-angel he lacks no longer; Evil fortune he need not fear: Fate is strong, but love is stronger; And MY love is truer than angel-care.”