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396   FRANCES S. OSGOOD.

"But oh! when soft Forgiveness came,
And o'er the discord sigh'd,—–
How like an angel's lute of love
That fairy lyre replied!

"A fearful power the gift possess'd,
A power for good or ill;—–
Each passion of the human breast
Could sweep the strings at will.

"And it could melt to softest tears,
Or madden into crime,
The hearts that heard its thrilling strains,
Wild, plaintive, or sublime.

"The oath within the murderer's heart,
Fair childhood's sinless prayer,
Hope's eager sigh, Affection's vow,
All found an echo there!

"What pity, that a gift so rich,
Attuned by love divine,
Was thus profaned by impious man,
At Guilt's unhallow'd shrine!"

Her eyes in innocent wonder raised,
As gravely still I spoke;
The child into my face had gazed,
But now the pause she broke:—–

"Oh! were it mine, that wondrous toy,
That but a wish could wake!
Mamma, 'twould be my pride, my joy,
Soft melody to make!

"The evil spirits, tempting youth,
Should ne'er approach my treasure,
I'd keep it pure for Love, for Truth,
For Pity, Hope, and Pleasure!


FRANCES S. OSGOOD.   397

"And they should play so blest a strain
Upon th' enchanted lyre,
That Heaven would claim it back again,
To join its own sweet choir."

"Keep, keep, my child, that promise still,
'The wondrous toy' is thine!
E'en now thy spirit tuned it;—–'tis
The human voice divine!

"Oh! ask of Heaven to teach thy tongue
A true, a reverent tone,—–
Full oft attuned to praise and prayer,
And still to vice unknown!

"And rather be it mute for aye,
Than yield its music sweet
To Malice, Scorn, Impurity,
To Slander, or Deceit!

"Degrade not thou the instrument
That God has given to thee,
But till its latest breath be spent,
Let Conscience keep the key!"


LITTLE CHILDREN.

"Of such is the kingdom of Heaven."

And yet we check and chide
The airy angels as they float about us,
With rules of so-call'd wisdom, till they grow
The same tame slaves to custom and the world.
And day by day the fresh frank soul that look'd
Out of those wistful eyes, and smiling play'd
With the wild roses of that changing cheek,

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Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-29 14:47:24