Page:Zinzendorff and Other Poems.pdf/186

186 And through the consecrated emblems seek Remission of their sins. Why lingerest thou? —They pointed to a chamber and a couch, Where fever with its red and quenchless fires Wrought in Life's citadel. Yet 'mid the pain And tossing of that sleepless agony When every nerve was quivering, and the veins Shrank from the lava-tide that thro' them flow'd There rose a prayer to Jesus, and those lips So parch'd and pallid, spake the words of Heaven. Death drew the curtain, and she slept in peace: But tears are flowing 'mid the pleasant halls Where her affections rested, shedding forth Fresh brilliance, like some never-setting star. —Yes, there are lingering sighs of mournful thought Where Poverty doth trim its naked hearth, And frequent lispings of her name from babes Who by the robes that shield them from the storm, And by the holy lessons that she taught Upon the day of God, remember her. —But keener grief doth dwell in one lone heart, Which by the strongest links of earthly hope Had bound her to its love, so that each scene Of bright futurity, the Pastor's home, Altar and flock, and household hymn at eve Came coupled with her image. —Of such woe Weak language speaketh not. But ye who give Your angel-welcome to each happy guest That from time's tribulation riseth pure, Vouchsafe some echo from your thrilling harps, That at Heaven's bliss, these woes of earth may fade.