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370         ELIZABETH F. ELLERT.

SONNET.

SHEPHERD, with meek brow wreathed with blossoms sweet,
Who guard'st thy timid flock with tenderest care—
Who guid'st in sunny paths their wandering feet,—
And the young lambs dost in thy bosom bear;—
Who lead'st thy happy flock to pastures fair,
And by still waters at the noon of day—
Charming with lute divine the silent air,
What time they linger on the verdant way;—
Good Shepherd! might one gentle distant strain
Of that immortal melody sink deep
Into my heart, and pierce its careless sleep,
And melt by powerful love its sevenfold chain—
Oh! then my soul thy voice should know, and flee
To mingle with thy flock, and ever follow Thee!

SONNET.

O WEARY heart, there is a rest for thee!
O truant heart—there is a blessed home,
An isle of gladness on life's wayward sea,
Where storms, that vex the waters, never come.
There trees perennial yield their balmy shade,
There flower-wreath'd hill in sunlit beauty sleep;
There meek streams murmur through the verdant glade—
There heaven bends smiling o'er the placid deep.
Winnow'd by wings immortal that fair isle;
Vocal its air with music from above;
There meets the exile eye a welcoming smile;
There ever speaks a summoning voice of love
Unto the heavy-laden and distress'd,—
"Come unto me, and I will give you rest."


MARY N. M'DONALD.

MRS. M'DONALD* is a daughter of the late Leonard A. Bleecker, Esq., of New York, where she was born, and a granddaughter of the late Major William Popham, a well-known revolutionary officer. Her father left the city when she was very young, and many of her earlier years were spent in West Chester County; where, amidst its quiet woodland scenery, her poetical tastes first developed themselves. When quite a little child, she was possessed with a desire for literary distinction; and the most earnest wish of her heart was for "a whole quire of white paper." The artless ambition, however, that charmed her childhood, vanished as she grew up, frightened, no doubt, at a glimpse of that fame in the distance it had so innocently wished to attract.

On Miss Bleecker's return to the city, some of her poetical effusions were published by a friend, in the New York Mirror; and gained so much approbation, that she continued to write for that and other periodicals several years, under the signature of M.N.M. She was married in 1834 to Pierre E.F. M'Donald, Esq.; and her married life, which was singularly unclouded and happy, (a sure sign that ambition had left her; because, if a thirst for fame and a yearning for love live together in a woman's heart, they will kindle strife,) continued till April, 1844. After her husband's death, she became by necessity, not choice, an authorless, and published a volume entitled Poems by M.N.M., in 1845. Two small volumes of interesting juvenile stories, called Cousin Bertha's Tales for Children, subsequently appeared. She contributes constantly to The Columbian, The Ladies' Wreath, and other magazines. Her prose writings are remarkable for their ease, refinement, and playful simplicity; while her poems, of which the following are a fair specimen, are musical, graceful, and sweet.

JUNE.

LAUGHINLY thou comest
Rosy June,
With thy light and tripping feet,
And thy garlands fresh and sweet,

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[[footnote]]] *Now Mrs. Henry Meigs of New York.
(371) [[/footnote]]

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