CHAPITRE VI

To offer up like Hannah Her son to Heaven's own care As with a gift too precious For meaner love to share And bid the priestly mantle A blessed lot afford Her boy, like Samuel given To the temple of the Lord !

It might not be ! his spirit

Was ail too rash and bold

His heart too young and fervent

For vows so calm and cold :

Yet think not that the Widow

Her offering made in vain,

Heaven's unregarded blessings

Come down on us like rain ;

And he may brave lile s dangers

In hope and not in dread

Whose Mother 1 s prayers are lighting

A halo round his head ;

In wheresoe'er he wanders

Through the cold world dark and wild,

Thcre whitewinged angels follow

To guard earth's erring child.

Go ! let the scoffer call it A shadovf and a dream, Tliose meek subservient spirits Are iiearer than we deem :

Think not tliey visit only The bright enraptured eye Of some pure sainted martyr Prepared and glad to die ; Or that the Poef s fancy Or Painters coloured ski H Créâtes a dream of beauty And moulds a world at wiH :

They live ! they vander roumd ire, Soft resting on the cloud ; Altho' to human vision The sight be disallowed ; They are to the Almighty What the rays are to the sun An emanating essence Froiïi' the great supernal One :

They bend for prayer to listes, They weep to witness crimes , They watoh for holy moments...

Good thoughts ; repentant times. .

They cheer the meek and humble They heal the broken hearl