The Sailor’s Bride.
The stars they shone keen in the deep blue sky,
And the moonlight softly slept
O’er the frozen earth, and the pale cold snow
That chirped as the traveller stept.
Poor Mary sat chilled by her lonely fire,
Her babe in its cradle lay,
As she watched its slumbers with cheerless breast,
On the eve of Christmas day.
“Thy father is yet on the wide, wide sea,”—
Her mournful heart thus sung,—
“I hoped he’d have been in our home, baby,
Ere the Christmas bells had rung.
“This time, so full of affection’s delights,
Of pure and innocent mirth,
Is lonely and sad, since he is not here
To joy with me o’er thy birth.
“When last he sailed forth, all the bright green buds
Just peeped on the branches bare;
And thou, my child, like the beautiful flowers,
Hadst breathed not the spring’s sweet air.
“Since then, fearful storms have darkened the sky,
And tempests disturbed the main,
And the sprightly glance of his loving eye
I ne’er may behold again!
“He never has looked on thy cherub form,
Or seen thy soft curling hair;
Or watched the quick smile, on thy rosy cheek,
Like a bright wave rippling there.
“To place thee, with joy, in thy father’s arms,
How my ardent soul doth yearn;
But still disappointed, each anxious day,
In solitude drear I mourn.
“But hark! do I dream? or a sharp quick step
Approaches our cottage door?
A well-known hand, lifts the opening latch,—
I clasp thee, my husband, once more!”
She’s pressed to the heart, of her sailor bold,
Their child in his arms he rears;
The sound of his kiss on its pure soft cheek,
Like a spell dispersed her tears!
The gloom from that dwelling hath passed away;
The hearth hath a glow more bright;
And the glorious sun next morning shone
For them with a richer light.
They love the sweet sounds from yon grey church tower,
Recalling their bridal day;
And thither they wend, with most grateful hearts,
Their tribute of thanks to pay.
Then in their own home, with its glowing fire,
And neighbours and friends around,
That loving pair hark with intense delight
To the Christmas bells’ glad sound.