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Rh

He entered and his darling boys Came gathering to his side,— Tears glitter'd on their cheeks of rose,— Why were those tears undry'd? And one a stranger to its sire,— A new born babe was there,— Its feeble wailing pierced his ear,— Where was its mother?—where?—

They told him,—and he hasted down To that oblivious cell,— From whence no tenant e'er return'd    Among mankind to dwell,— And there, the glory of his house, A lifeless ruin lay,— And bowing down in bitter woe He kiss'd the unanswering clay.

But had not Faith and Hope been there, Whose strong, inspiring breath Had borne that parted friend above The agony of death;— Had they not stood divinely near To yield a sure relief,— What else could hold the soul unwreck'd    Amid that tide of grief?