THE TWINS. 375 The Twins. Date and Dabitur (Give, and it shall be given). G RAND rough old Martin Luther The better the uncouther; Do roses stick like burrs ? "A beggar asked an alms One day at an abbey-door," Said Luther-"but, seized with qualms "Poor who had plenty once, But they give us naught for the nonce, "Then the beggar, 'See your sins! Ye had brothers for inmates, twins, "While Date was in good case Dabitur flourished too; For Dabitur's lenten face Ne wonder if Date rue. "Would ye retrieve the one? Try and make plump the other! When Date's penance is done, Dabitur helps his brother. "Only beware relapse!' The Abbot hung his head; The beggar might be, perhaps, An angel," Luther said. ROBERT BROWNING O Weariness. LITTLE feet! that such long years Must wander on through hopes and fears, Where toil shall cease and rest begin, O little hands! that weak or strong Have still so long to give or ask ; Am weary thinking of your task. O little hearts! that throb and beat Now covers and conceals its fires. O little souls! as pure and white Direct from heaven, their source divine; How lurid looks this soul of mine! HENRY W. LONGFELLOW. PER PACEM AD LUCEM. 377 I Per Pacem ad Lucem. DO not ask, O Lord, that life may be I do not ask that thou wouldst take from me Aught of its load : I do not ask that flowers should always spring I know too well the poison and the sting For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead, Though strength should falter and though heart should bleed, Through Peace to Light. I do not ask, O Lord, that thou shouldst shed Give but a ray of peace that I may tread I do not ask my cross to understand, Better in darkness just to feel thy hand, Joy is like restless day; but peace divine Lead me O Lord—till perfect day shall shine— ADELAIDE A. PROCTER. "Follow Thou Me." WHERE shall we follow thee, Saviour beloved? To Kedron, where oft thou hast thoughtfully roved? O where shall we follow thee, Jesus our friend? O where shall we follow thee, Master adored? O where shall we follow thee, Leader divine? O where shall we follow thee, tenderest Guide? O where shall we follow thee, dear Lamb of God? Up Golgotha's death-steep, for us meekly trod? The thorns pierce our temples; the cross bears us down; Like thine make our Calvary garland our crown! O where shall we follow thee, conquering Lord? LUCY LARCOM. PRESUMPTION AND DESPAIR. 379 Presumption and Despair. NE time I was allowed to steer ON Through realms of azure light: My heart one time the rivers fed, Which shall not pass away; But when I lay upon the shore, Nailed to the ground and fastened there, And when my very heart seemed dried, That any power again could bless But if both hope and fear were vain, RICHARD CHEVENIX TRENCH. |