SHALL I FEAR, O EARTH, THY BOSOM? 423 Unto Death, to whom monarchs must bow? Ah no! for his empire is known, And here there are trophies enow! Beneath, the cold dead, and around, the dark stone, The first tabernacle to Hope we will build, And look for the sleepers around us to rise; The second to Faith, that insures it fulfilled; And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, Who bequeathed us them both when he rose to the skies. HERBERT KNOWLES. Shall I Fear, O Earth, thy Bosom? HALL I fear, O earth, thy bosom? SHALL Shrink and faint to lay me there, Whence the fragrant lovely blossom Whence the tree, the brook, the river, Yea, whence One arose victorious No, fair Earth! a tender mother Thou hast been, and yet canst be; And through him, my Lord and Brother, Sweet shall be my rest in thee! THOMAS DAVIS. S To the Southern Cross. WEET Empress of the Southern sea, Thou gazest mournfully on me, As mindful we have met before! When first I saw the Polar Star Go down behind the silver sea, And greeted thy mild light from far, I did not know its mystery. My Polar Star was by my side, The star of hope was on my brow; I've lost them both beneath the tideThe cross alone is left me now. Not such as thou, sweet Thing of stars, Yet something from those soft, warm skies And gazing in thy tender eyes, The symbol brightens on my breast. I read at last the mystery That slumbers in each starry gem; The weary pathway to the sky—— The iron cross-the diadem. EMILY C. JUDSON PER PACEM AD LUCEM. 425 I Per Pacem ad Lucem. DO not ask, O Lord, that life may be I do not ask that thou wouldst take from me Aught of its load: I do not ask that flowers should always spring I know too well the poison and the sting For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead, Though strength should falter and though heart should bleed, Through Peace to Light. I do not ask, O Lord, that thou shouldst shed Give but a ray of peace that I may tread I do not ask my cross to understand, Better in darkness just to feel thy hand, Joy is like restless day; but peace divine Lead me O Lord-till perfect day shall shine- ADELAIDE A. PROCTER. "Follow Thou Me." WHERE shall we follow thee, Saviour beloved? To Kedron, where oft thou hast thoughtfully roved? Each rill of enjoyment that winds through our care, Is Kedron, if thou wilt but walk with us there. O where shall we follow thee, Jesus our friend? O where shall we follow thee, Master adored? O where shall we follow thee, Leader divine? O where shall we follow thee, tenderest Guide? O where shall we follow thee, dear Lamb of God? Up Golgotha's death-steep, for us meekly trod? The thorns pierce our temples; the cross bears us down; Like thine make our Calvary garland our crown! O where shall we follow thee, conquering Lord? LUCY LARCOM. ENTICED. 427 W Enticed. I. ITH what clear guile of gracious love enticed, I follow forward, as from room to room, Through doors that open into light from gloom, To find and lose, and find again the Christ! He stands and knocks, and bids me ope the door; Why should he seek a shelter sad with sin? Will he but knock and ask, and nothing more? He knows what ways I take to shut my heart, My foolish fastenings, or by force break through, But nay, he will not choose to enter so,- He shall not go; I do arise and ope,— "Come in, dear Lord, come in and sup with me, Oh, blessed guest, and let me sup with thee,”Where is the door? for in this dark I grope, And cannot find it soon enough; my hand, No other key will answer my demand. The door between is some command undone ; |