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374 FOREST MELODIES. |
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BAPTISM OF TWO INFANTS.
[Death had visited the family of a young clergyman. The cold corpse of the wife and mother, was placed in its white shroud, just ready to be carried from the parsonage, to return no more. During the ceremony, the bowl, which held the water, stood on the coffin that enclosed the dead.]
Ere that sweet friend has left thy home For her still dwelling 'neath the sod,
Come, thou deserted, mourner, come, And consecrate her babes to God.
Methinks upon each forehead bright Lingers a mother's dying kiss,—
0, sad indeed, the sacred rite In such a mournful hour as this!
That mother—ah, her coffin-lid
Serves as a sacred altar now ! Beneath that pall is darkly hid
Her still, sad smile, and deathly brow.
Awhile her spirit lingers near,
On radiant pinions spread for heaven,
Pausing to wipe away thy tear, And soothe the heart by sorrow riven.
O, thou bereaved and stricken one, Bring those forsaken babes to-day;
Ere from thy door that hearse is gone, Thine offspring on the altar lay. |
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