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388  FRANCES S. OSGOOD.

"Be ours the gem! and safely launch'd
Upon a summer sea,
Where never cloud may frown in heaven,
Thy pinnace light shall be!"

But still she smiled a fearless smile,
And raised her trusting eyes,
And cried—"I bear my talisman
Home, home to yonder skies!"

And safe through all that blinding storm
The true bark floated on,
And soft its pearl-illumined prow
Through all the tumult shone!

An angel, guided through the clouds
By that most precious light,
Flew down the fairy helm to take,
And steer the boat aright.

Then died the storm upon the sea!
High dash'd the diamond spray,
And merrily leaping light and free,
The shallop sail'd away.

And meekly, when at eve her bark
Its destined port had found,
She moor'd it by the mellow spark
Her jewel shed around!

Would'st know the name the maiden wore?
'T was Innocence—like thine!
Wouldst know the pearl she nobly bore?
'T was Truth—a gem divine!

Thou hast the jewel—keep it bright,
Undimm'd by mortal fear,
And bathe each stain upon its light
With Grief's repentant tear!

FRANCES S. OSGOOD.  389

Still shrink from falsehood's fairest guise,
By flattery unbeguiled!
Still let thy heart speak from thine eyes,
My pure and simple child!


A SONG.

CALL me pet names, dearest!  Call me a bird
That flies to thy breast at one cherishing word,
That folds its wild wings there, ne'er dreaming of flight,
That tenderly sings there in loving delight!
Oh! my sad heart keeps pining for one fond word,—
Call me pet names, dearest!  Call me thy bird!

Call me sweet names, darling!  Call me a flower,
That lives in the light of thy smile each hour,
That droops when its heaven—thy heart—grows cold,
That shrinks form the wicked, the false and bold,
That blooms for thee only, through sunlight and shower,
Call me pet names, darling!  Call me thy flower!

Call me fond names, dearest!  Call me a star,
Whose smile's beaming welcome thou feel'st from afar,
Whose light is the clearest, the truest to thee,
When the "night-time of sorrow" steals over life's sea:
Oh! trust thy rich bark, where its warm rays are,
Call me pet names, darling!  Call me thy star!

Call me dear names, darling!  Call me thine own!
Speak to me always in Love's low tone!
Let not thy look nor thy voice grow cold;
Let my fond worship thy being enfold;
Love me for ever, and love me alone!
Call me pet names, darling!  Call me thine own!
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