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ON THE DEATH OF TWO LITTLE CHILDREN.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


25

ON THE DEATH OF TWO LITTLE CHILDREN.

Daughters of the Hon. Gustavus and Lady Katharine Hamilton Russell, the elder of whom died by an accident during the mortal illness of her sister, who almost immediately followed her. They were both buried on the same day.

Ah! bitter chance! no hand the blow could ward!
Nor shield from harm her little guileless breast,
New to this perilous world, and daily prest
To a fond mother's heart; her lot seems hard;
But lo! her face is calm—a gentle tone
Seems murmuring from those lips that breathe no more,
‘Come, little sister, marked for heaven before!
I crave that hand, yet smaller than mine own,
That baby-hand, to clasp again in mine!’
Sweet spirit! as thou wishest, it shall be;
Death drops his wing on younger heads than thine,
Though thine is of the youngest; soon to thee
The little sister of thy soul shall come,
And one low funeral bell shall bring ye home!