Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/190

206 “My soul is not at rest. There comes a strange and secret whisper to my spirit, like a dream of night, that tells me I am on enchanted ground.

“Why live I here? The vows of God are on me, and I may not stop to play with shadows, or pluck earthly flowers, till I my work have done, and rendered up account.

“And I will go. I may no longer doubt to give up friends, and idle hopes, and every tie that binds my heart to thee, my country.

“Henceforth, then, it matters not if storm or sunshine be my earthly lot. Bitter or sweet my cap. I only pray God make me holy, and my spirit nerve for the stern hour of strife.

“And when I come to stretch me for the last, in unattended agony, beneath the palm's green shade, it will be sweet that I have toiled for other worlds than this.

“And if one for whom Satan hath struggled, as he hath for me, should ever reach that blessed shore, oh, how my heart will glow with gratitude and love.

“The voice of my beloved Lord, ‘Go teach all nations,’ comes in the night, and awakes mine ear. Through ages of eternal years, my spirit never shall repent, that toil and suffering once were mine below.”

They tell me, my R——, that at the present moment you do not care much about Switzerland; that all your interest is devoted to Italy, and that I must hasten to conduct you thither. I would gladly