“My son, ere I removed from hence,
I spared nor labour nor expense
To gain for you the heavenly prize,
And teach you to make others wise. 
But still, though inward worth was thine,
You lay a diamond in the mine: 
You wanted outward polish bright
To show your pure intrinsic light. 
Some knew your worth, and seized the prize,
And now are throned in the skies: 
Whilst others swilled with folly’s wine,
But trod the pearl like the swine,
In ignorance sunk in their grave,
And thence, where burning oceans lave. 
Now polished bright, your native flame
And inward worth are still the same;
A flaming diamond still you glow,
In brighter hues:  then cheery go—­
More suited by a skilful hand
To do your father’s high command: 
Fit ornament for sage or clown,
Or beggar’s rags, or kingly crown.

THE COTTAGE MAID.

Aloft on the brow of a mountain,
And hard by a clear running fountain,
      In neat little cot,
      Content with her lot,
Retired, there lives a sweet maiden.

Her father is dead, and her brother—­
And now she alone with her mother
      Will spin on her wheel,
      And sew, knit, and reel,
And cheerfully work for their living.

To gossip she never will roam,
She loves, and she stays at, her home,
      Unless when a neighbour
      In sickness does labour,
Then, kindly, she pays her a visit.

With Bible she stands by her bed,
And when some blest passage is read,
      In prayer and in praises
      Her sweet voice she raises
To Him who for sinners once died.

Well versed in her Bible is she,
Her language is artless and free,
      Imparting pure joy,
      That never can cloy,
And smoothing the pillow of death.

To novels and plays not inclined,
Nor aught that can sully her mind;
      Temptations may shower,—­
      Unmoved as a tower,
She quenches the fiery arrows.

She dresses as plain as the lily
That modestly glows in the valley,
      And never will go
      To play, dance or show—­
She calls them the engines of Satan.

With tears in her eyes she oft says,
“Away with your dances and plays! 
      The ills that perplex
      The half of our sex
Are owing to you, Satan’s engines.”

Released from her daily employment,
Intent upon solid enjoyment,
      Her time she won’t idle,
      But reads in her Bible,
And books that divinely enlighten.

Whilst others at wake, dance, and play
Chide life’s restless moments away,
      And ruin their souls—­
      In pleasure she rolls,
The foretaste of heavenly joys.

Her soul is refined by her Lord,
She shines in the truths of His Word: 
      Each Christian grace
      Shines full in her face,
And heightens the glow of her charms.