This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ...THE SLEEPER. A group of sculpture bathed in light;--An infant tired with play, While o'er it bent two angels bright As there it sleeping lay: They told me they were Death and Sleep, But which they could not name, Nor why that both should vigil keep, Why pictured both the same. But I, who'd seen life's last ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ...THE SLEEPER. A group of sculpture bathed in light;--An infant tired with play, While o'er it bent two angels bright As there it sleeping lay: They told me they were Death and Sleep, But which they could not name, Nor why that both should vigil keep, Why pictured both the same. But I, who'd seen life's last light fade, And pass its latest breath, Knew why that cunning hand had made Sleep so akin to Death. Between the sculptured angels stood A form, 'twas Time they said; The sculptor, in a happy mood, Thus hope and comfort shed; For sleep knows two awakings, one Where sweet bells gaily chime, And one--life's pilgrimage begun, That's only known to Time. And well it is for our repose, We have less cause to weep, Since Time alone which angel knows Awaits us--Death or Sleep. THE STEP-DAUGHTER. "Oh! lady, ask me not to share That holy tie with thee, I'll strive thy presence here to bear, Thy child I cannot be; You say that in the realms above Her spirit is at rest; Oh! do not chide me if I love My own dear mother best. "And, father, call me still your child, And do not quite forget, And think those eyes that on you smiled Look down upon us yet; I do not ask that her you pi"ize No part of love should share, But look into your Nelly's eyes, And see her mother there." The father took his weeping child And pressed her to his heart, And she who now his heart beguiled Played well a mother's part; But often when the father slept, And dreams his spirit cross'd, He fancied that together wept The living and the lost. YOU MAY WIN HIM BACK BY KINDNESS. You may win him back by kindness, Though his heart has gone astray, For his passion is a blindness That may last but for a day; 'Tis her beauty that has bound him, But he'll shun the fatal snare...
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