Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/108



In darkness deep by day and night, A fettered child without a ray— No word of speech, no sound, no sight To lift a soul to Heaven's day. But Patience came in Love's sweet way, And smiled and wept and wept and smiled, With failure oft, yet would essay To lighten the mind of a captive child.

What mortal e'er in such a plight? What twain beset with such dismay, As guide and child in the long drawn fight To lift a soul to Heaven's day? No victor great, no ruler's sway, Reveals such triumph, pure and mild; No leader nobler zeal portray, To lighten the mind of a captive child.

And darkness gross and many a blight Leave other children far astray; And they call loud for some brave knight To lift a soul to Heaven's day. Then who the priceless pearl will pay, To lift a soul so dark and wild, From the deepest pit, as a piece of clay— To lighten the mind of a captive child?

Envoy

'Tis faith and work, with hope's delay, To lift a soul to Heaven's day, From Night's dim depths, by love beguiled, To lighten the mind of a captive child.

MARY GRAY

Here's to each Mary from first to last; To Virgin holy, heaven's primal queen, And deepest penitent, the Magdalene; Hail Marys many through the long, long past, From proudest princess down to poor outcast. A myriad of them I've heard and seen, Some strong, some weak and few of sober mein; How varied they, and fervent hopes how vast!

At length the Mary comes, delighting me best; Her head's safe-guarded by the purest heart, Enriching childhood's state with princely zest; To work devoted, and would ever display Rule over Mammon for the noblest art— All honor and long life to Mary Gray!