In his arms he was bearing a young soul below,
To leave in this world of our woe,
The strains of his singing within her soul beat—
A wordless song, living and sweet!
Long languished her soul in its earthly abode,
With a heavenly longing o'erflowed,
For ne'er were those holy, pure strains of her birth,
Effaced by the songs of the earth.
LERMONTOFF.
A PRAYER
Faithful before thee, Mother of God, now kneeling,
Image miraculous and merciful—of thee
Not for my soul's health nor battles waged, beseeching,
Nor yet with thanks or penitence o'erwhelming me!
Not for myself,—my heart with guilt o'erflowing—
Who in my home land e'er a stranger has remained,
No, a sinless child upon thy mercy throwing,
That thou protect her innocence unstained!
Worthy the highest bliss, with happiness O bless her!
Grant her a friend to stand unchanging at her side,
A youth of sunshine and an old age tranquil,
A spirit where together peace and hope abide.
Then, when strikes the hour her way from earth for wending,
Let her heart break at dawning or at dead of night—
From out thy highest heaven, thy fairest angel sending
The fairest of all souls sustain in heavenward flight!