Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/233

Rh And when my course is ended, When life her web has wove, Oh! may I then, beneath those hills, Lie close to them I love!

MY WIFE AND CHILD

The tattoo beats; the lights are gone: The camp around in slumber lies; The night, with solemn pace, moves on; The shadows thicken o er the skies; But sleep my weary eyes hath flown, And sad, uneasy thoughts arise. I think of thee, oh! dearest one! Whose love mine early life hath blest; Of thee and him our baby son Who slumbers on thy gentle breast; God of the tender, frail, and lone, Oh! guard that little sleeper s rest! And hover, gently hover near To her, whose watchful eye is wet The mother, wife, the doubly dear, In whose young heart have freshly met Two streams of love so deep and clear And cheer her drooping spirit yet! * Now, as she kneels before thy throne, Oh! teach her, Ruler of the skies! That while, by thy behest alone,