CONSOLATION.

Men seek for treasure in the earth,
   Wher I have buried mine,
There never mortal eye shall pierce,
   Nor star nor lamp shall shine!
We know, my love, oh! well we know,

       The secret treasure spot,
Yet must our tears forever fall,
       Because that they are not.

How gladly would we give to light
       The ivory forehead fair—

The eye of heavenly beaming blue,
       The clust’ring chesnut hair—
Yet look around this mournful scene
       Of daily earthly life,
And could you wish them back to share

       Its sorrow and its strife? [Page 71]

If blessed Angels stray to Earth,
       And seek in vain a shrine,
They needs must back return again
       Unto their source divine:

All life obeys the unchanging law
       Of Him who took and gave,
We count a glorious saint in heaven
       For each child in the grave.

Look up, my love, look up, afar,

       And dry each bitter tear,
Behold three white-robed Innocents
       At Heaven’s high gate appear!
For you and me and those we love,
       They smilingly await,

God grant we may be fit to join
       Those Angels of the Gate. [Page 72]