EVENING PRAYER AT A GIRLS' SCHOOL. 327

And take the thought of this calm vesper time,

With its low murmuring sounds and silvery light, On through the dark days fading from their prime,

As a sweet dew to keep your souls from blight. Earth will forsake-oh! happy to have given Th' unbroken heart's first fragrance unto Heaven!

THE INVOCATION.

WRITTEN AFTER THE DEATH OF A SISTER-IN-LAW.

ANSWER me, burning stars of night!

Where is the spirit gone,

That past the reach of human sight,
Even as a breeze, hath flown?

-And the stars answer'd me" We roll
In light and power on high,

But, of the never-dying soul,

Ask things that cannot die!"

Oh! many toned and chainless wind!
Thou art a wanderer free;
Tell me if thou its place canst find,
Far over mount and sea?

-And the wind murmur'd in reply,
"The blue deep I have cross'd,
And met its barks and billows high,
But not what thou hast lost!"

Ye clouds that gorgeously repose
Around the setting sun,

Answer! have ye a home for those
Whose earthly race is run?

The bright clouds answer'd-" We depart,

We vanish from the sky;

Ask what is deathless in thy heart
For that which cannot die!"

Speak, then, thou voice of God within!
Thou of the deep low tone!
Answer me through life's restless din,
Where is the spirit flown?

-And the voice answer'd-"Be thou still!
Enough to know is given;

Clouds, winds, and stars their task fulfil,
Thine is to trust in Heaven!"

END OF VOL. II.