LEAH. Most patient of all women, unbeloved, Pondering on tasks that should not be reproved. What her sweet offspring was, by God's decree, MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES. SHE left her babe, and went away to weep, Of mighty waters. Little dreams the maid, The royal maid, that comes to woo the wave With her smooth limbs beneath the trembling shade Of silver-chaliced lotus, what a child Her freak of pity is ordain'd to save! How terrible the thing that looks so mild! October 6, 1836. ON A PICTURE OF JEPHTHAH AND HIS DAUGHTER. BY STROZZI. IN THE POSSESSION OF J. BRANCKER, ESQ. I. 'Tis true the painter's hand can but arrest And thou, sweet maid! for ever keep that look : IN CONTINUATION. II. WHAT if the angry God hath made thy arm Dread as the thunderbolt or solid fire, Or pest obedient to his vengeful ire, Think'st thou thy oath was like a wizard's charm, Not Israel's hope. But she, thy daughter, mild, RUTH. MANY and fierce the battles that the sons Of Jacob fought for their predestined land, And often for their wives and little ones With blood they stain'd the wilderness of sand; A tale of bloodshed is their history, And to all Christian hearts a mystery. But in the bleakest wild is sometimes seen |