THE PRESENTATION OF SAMUEL. HE rose was in rich bloom on Sharon's plain, Unto the temple service. By the hand The crimson deepening o'er his cheek's repose, As at a red flower's heart. And where a fount Lay like a twilight star 'midst palmy shades, And softly parting clusters of jet curls At last the Fane was reached, Turned from the white-robed priest, and round her arm Clung even as joy clings, -the deep springtide And silver cords 'again to earth have won me; 66 How shall I hence depart? How the lone paths retrace where thou wert playing So late, along the mountains, at my side! And I, in joyous pride, By every place of flowers my course delaying, Wove, e'en as pearls, the lilies round thy hair, Beholding thee so fair? "And, O, the home whence thy bright smile hath parted, Will it not seem as if the sunny day Turned from its door away? While through its chambers wandering, weary-hearted, Went like a singing rill? "Under the palm-trees thou no more shalt meet me, With the full water-urn; Nor will thy sleep's low dove-like breathings greet me And watch for thy dear sake. "And thou, will slumber's dewy cloud fall round thee, Without thy mother's hand to smooth thy bed? Wilt thou not vainly spread Thine arms, when darkness as a veil hath wound thee, A cry which none shall hear? "What have I said, my child? Will He not hear thee, Who the young ravens heareth from their nest? Shall He not guard thy rest, THE PRESENTATION OF SAMUEL. And, in the hush of holy midnight near thee, "I give thee to thy God, the God that gave thee, A well-spring of deep gladness, to my heart! And, precious as thou art, And pure as dew of Hermon, He shall have thee, And thou shalt be His child! "Therefore, farewell! I go; my soul may fail me, As the hart panteth for the water-brooks, Yearning for thy sweet looks, But thou, my first-born, droop not, nor bewail me; The Rock of Strength. - Farewell!" ! HANNAH AND SAMUEL. ER prattling child she brings in white arrayed, She brought to him within God's courts attending. To that fair offering on God's altar laid. When to her holy and illustrious son In prayerful training from their birth begun, And 'mid heaven's thrones, O, may their names be noted! 154 Rev. R. Wilton. |