Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 33 1833.pdf/6



, guide me! Day declines, Hollow winds are in the pines; Darkly waves each giant-bough O'er the sky's last crimson glow; Hush'd is now the convent's bell, Which erewhile with breezy swell From the purple mountains bore Greeting to the sunset-shore. Now the sailor's vesper-hymn Dies away. Father! in the forest dim Be my stay!

In the low and shivering thrill Of the leaves, that late hung still; In the dull and muffled tone Of the sea-wave's distant moan; In the deep tints of the sky, There are signs of tempest nigh. Ominous, with sullen sound, Falls the closing dusk around. Father! through the storm and shade O'er the wild, Oh! be Thou the lone one's aid— Save thy child!

Many a swift and sounding plume Homewards, through the boding gloom, O'er my way hath flitted fast, Since the farewell sunbeam pass'd From the chestnut's ruddy bark, And the pools, now low and dark, Where the wakening night-winds sigh Through the long reeds mournfully. Homeward, homeward, all things haste— God of might! Shield the homeless midst the waste, Be his light!

In his distant cradle-nest, Now my babe is laid to rest; Beautiful his slumber seems With a glow of heavenly dreams, Beautiful, o'er that bright sleep, Hang soft eyes of fondness deep, Where his mother bends to pray, For the loved and far away.— Father! guard that household bower, Hear that prayer! Back, through thine all-guiding power, Lead me there!