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506    ALICE B. NEAL.

Let her in mercy find
That though the Earth she may no longer see,
Her spirit still can look to Heaven and Thee."

A low sob from me stole.
A moment more- your arms about me wound-
My head upon your breast a pillow found
And through my weary soul
A holy calm came stealing from on high.
Your prayer was answer'd- I was not to die.

Then when the bell's faint chime
Came floating gently on the burden'd air,
My heart went up to God in fervent prayer.
And, mother, from that time
My wild thoughts left me- hope return'd once more-
I felt that happiness was yet in store.

Daily new strength was given.
For the first time since darkness on me fell,
I pass'd with more of joy than words can tell
Under the free blue Heaven.
I bathed my brow in the cool gushing spring-
How much of life those bright drops seem'd to bring.

I crush'd the dewy leaves
Of the pale violets, and drank their breath-
Though I had heard that at each floweret's death
A sister blossom grieves.
I did not care to see their glorious hues,
Fearing the richer perfume I might lose.

Then in the dim old wood
I laid me down beneath a bending tree,
And dream'd, dear mother, waking dreams of thee.
I thought how just and good
The power that had so gently seal'd mine eyes,
Yet bade new pleasures and new hopes arise.

ALICE B. NEAL.    507

For now in truth I find
My father all his promises hath kept;
He comforts those who here in sadness wept.
"Eyes to the blind"
Thou art, oh, God! Earth I no longer see,
Yet trustfully my spirit looks to thee.

THERE'S NO SUCH WORD AS FAIL.

The proudest motto for the young!
Write it in lines of gold
Upon thy heart, and in thy mind
The stirring words enfold.
And in misfortune's dreary hour,
Or fortune's prosperous gale,
'T will have a holy, cheering power,
"There's no such word as fail."

The sailor, on the stormy sea,
May sigh for distant land,
And, free and fearless though he be,
Wish they were near the strand.
But when the storm on angry wings
Beras lightning, sleet, and hail,
He climbs the slippery mast, and sings
"There's no such word as fail."

The wearied student bending o'er
The tomes of other days,
And dwelling on their magic lore,
For inspiration prays.
And though with toil his brain is weak,
His brow is deadly pale,
The language of his heart will speak,
"There's no such word as fail."