The Two Brothers, and other poems By Edward Henry Bickersteth |
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| I. | I.
THE BABE'S FIRST JOURNEY. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
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 | The Two Brothers, and other poems |  |
I. THE BABE'S FIRST JOURNEY.
[Baby sleeps while the angel soars heavenward, singing.]
“My treasure, my blossom,
My blessing twice bless'd,
Folded close to my bosom,
Be still and at rest.
Winds and waters were rougher
Than wonted at last,
But no more shalt thou suffer,
No more—it is pass'd.
Not a sigh, not a sorrow
Shall grieve thee to-night,
And the dawn of to-morrow
Is cloudless delight.”
My blessing twice bless'd,
Folded close to my bosom,
Be still and at rest.
Winds and waters were rougher
Than wonted at last,
But no more shalt thou suffer,
No more—it is pass'd.
Not a sigh, not a sorrow
Shall grieve thee to-night,
And the dawn of to-morrow
Is cloudless delight.”
200
‘O mother, dear mother,
Who is this? where am I?”
[The angel continues singing.]
Who is this? where am I?”
“Thy guardian, thy brother:
Fear not, I am nigh.
See the star-lamps adorning
This beautiful dome;
See the smile of the morning;
I am bearing thee home.
Mansions there without number
For infants are built;
Awake from thy slumber,
Awake, if thou wilt.”
[Baby catches the first glimpse of heaven, and asks,—]
Fear not, I am nigh.
See the star-lamps adorning
This beautiful dome;
See the smile of the morning;
I am bearing thee home.
Mansions there without number
For infants are built;
Awake from thy slumber,
Awake, if thou wilt.”
“Oh, what is that glory
That shines on thy wings?
Brother, tell me a story
Of heavenly things.”
That shines on thy wings?
Brother, tell me a story
Of heavenly things.”
201
“There joy without measure,
There day without night,
And rivers of pleasure
Shall break on thy sight.
There are gold paths transparent
And gateways of pearl;
There the babe and the parent,
The boy and the girl,
With angels, are walking
And plucking the fruit,
And singing or talking
To sound of the lute.
No shadows can darken
Their blessed employ:
Hush, baby, and hearken
The sound of their joy.
See, the Lord of the garden
Our coming awaits.”
There day without night,
And rivers of pleasure
Shall break on thy sight.
There are gold paths transparent
And gateways of pearl;
There the babe and the parent,
The boy and the girl,
With angels, are walking
And plucking the fruit,
And singing or talking
To sound of the lute.
No shadows can darken
Their blessed employ:
Hush, baby, and hearken
The sound of their joy.
See, the Lord of the garden
Our coming awaits.”
So the babe and its warden
Pass'd in at the gates,
And stronger and stronger
The glory became;
And I saw them no longer:
I woke from my dream.
Pass'd in at the gates,
202
The glory became;
And I saw them no longer:
I woke from my dream.
1864.
| The Two Brothers, and other poems | |