Who was her father?

Who was her mother?

Had she a sister?

Had she a brother?

Or was there a dearer one

Still, and a nearer one

Yet, than all other?

Alas for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun!

Oh! it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,

Home, she had none.

Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly
Feelings had changed;

Love by harsh evidence
Thrown from its eminence;

Even God's providence

Seeming estranged.

Where the lamps quiver

So far in the river,

With many a light

From window and casement,

From garret to basement,

She stood with amazement

Houseless by night.

Dreadfully staring

Through muddy impurity,
As when the daring

Last look of despairing

Fixed on futurity.

Perishing gloomily,
Spurred by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity;
Into her rest.

Cross her hands humbly,

As if praying dumbly,
Over her breast!

Owning her weakness,

Her evil behavior,

And leaving, with meekness,
Her sins to her Saviour!

FAREWELL LIFE.

FAREWELL Life! My senses swim, And the world is growing dim: Thronging shadows crowd the light, Like the advent of the night;

Colder, colder, colder still,
Upward starts a vapor chill ;
Strong the earthly odor grows,-

I smell the mould above the rose!

Welcome Life! The Spirit strives!
Strength returns, and hope revives;
Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn
Fly like shadows at the morn,
O'er the earth there comes a bloom;
Sunny light for sullen gloom,
Warm perfume for vapor cold, -

I smell the rose above the mould!

Sarah Flower Adams.

HOPE.

THE world may change from old to new,

From new to old again; +

4

Yet Hope and Heaven for ever true,
Within man's heart remain.
The dreams that bless the weary soul,
The struggles of the strong,
Are steps towards some happy goal,
The story of Hope's song.

Hope leads the child to plant the flower,

The man to sow the seed;

Nor leaves fulfilment to her hour,

But prompts again to deed.

And ere upon the old man's dust

The grass is seen to wave,