Page:Scenes and Hymns of Life.pdf/23

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It was as if thou gavest me mine own soul In those bright days! Yes! a new earth and heaven, And a new sense for all their splendours born, These were thy gifts! and shall I not rejoice To die, upholding their immortal worth, Even for thy sake? Yes, filled with nobler life By thy pure love, made holy to the truth, Lay me upon the altar of thy God, The first fruits of thy ministry below; Thy work, thine own!

Herbert.My love, my sainted love! Oh ! I can almost yield thee unto heaven; Earth would but sully thee! Thou must depart, With the rich crown of thy celestial gifts Untainted by a breath! And yet, alas! Edith! what dreams of holy happiness, Even for this world, were ours! the low, sweet home— The pastoral dwelling, with its ivied porch, And lattice gleaming through the leaves—and thou, My life's companion!—Thou, beside my hearth,