TO THE SPIRITS OF MY THREE DEPARTED SISTERS.

WRITTEN AT MID-WINTER.

Sweet sisters! ye have passed away,

In solemn silence one by one,

And left a brother here to stray,

In doubt and darkness—and alone!

For like three lamps of holy flame,

Ye shone upon my weary way,

Till a chill breath from heaven came,

And quenched for aye the kindly ray.