 | [The last smile, in] The lily of the valley, for 1854 |  |
193
THE LAST SMILE.
[_]
A fair girl, like a broken lily, lay upon her last pillow. As Death came for her, she looked into the face of her mother with a confiding smile. She spoke no more; but, with that loving gaze of unearthly beauty, parted with life, so gently that they knew not when she ceased to breathe.
That beautiful and loving smile!—
O, mother! draw it deep
Into your heart, with healing power,
To gird it in that fearful hour
When she is laid to sleep!
O, mother! draw it deep
Into your heart, with healing power,
To gird it in that fearful hour
When she is laid to sleep!
That beautiful and loving smile!—
Though death had sealed her eyes,
Still lingering on the heavenward track,
The ransomed spirit cast it back
A jewel from the skies.
Though death had sealed her eyes,
Still lingering on the heavenward track,
The ransomed spirit cast it back
A jewel from the skies.
194
Christ's love constrained her,—she hath gone
Before His throne to wait;
And, by that angel-smile of love,
You'll know her, when you meet above
At heaven's unfolding gate.
Before His throne to wait;
And, by that angel-smile of love,
You'll know her, when you meet above
At heaven's unfolding gate.
| [The last smile, in] The lily of the valley, for 1854 | |