 | Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] |  |
42
GUIDO'S MAGDALENE.
I
She sat her down—the Magdalene—beneath the spreading trees,While o'er her fair and silken hair swept many a lightsome breeze;
Before her gleams the holy cross—Ah! 'tis her solace now,
For lonely thoughts beam heavily upon her beauteous brow.
II
And there are books—“the Book of Life,”—within its sacred pageThe young, the frail may read and glean some balm for helpless age.
Thy pardon thou mayst seek and find, poor weary wand'rer—thou;
While holy angels stoop to bless the record of thy vow.
43
III
Ah!—why dost fling thy soft white hand upon that eyeless skull?The soul has fled its palace now, and left it empty—dull
Sad memories cling around it,—alas! thou too shalt be
All that our hearts would quail to hear, our cheeks turn pale to see.
IV
Where, where are all thy flat'rers now, in this thy great distress,They, who once dwelt upon thy charms, in life's young happiness?
The flow'rs have ceas'd to bloom for thee, the birds forgot to sing,—
The golden draught has left enough of bitterness to sting.
V
Yet mid thy sorrows, lift thine eyes—the Holy One aboveYearns o'er thee with a parent's heart, and with a Saviour's love;
He sees thy penitence and tears, and marks thee for His own;
Thou,—wand'rer, hast a home above,—a refuge near His throne.
| Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] | |