I gave health and leisure,
Skill to dream and plan ;
Let him make them nobler ;-
Work for God and man.

If I broke your idols,

Showed you they were dust,
Let him turn the knowledge
Into heavenly trust.

If I brought temptation,
Let sin die away
Into boundless pity

For all hearts that stray.

If your list of errors

Dark and long appears,

Let this new-born Monarch
Melt them into tears.

May you hold this Angel
Dearer than the last,-

So I bless his future,

While he crowns my past.

SPRING.

Hark! the hours are softly calling,

Bidding Spring arise,

To listen to the rain-drops falling From the cloudy skies,

To listen to Earth's weary voices,

Louder every day,

Bidding her no longer linger
On her charmèd way;

But hasten to her task of beauty
Scarcely yet begun ;

By the first bright day of Summer
It should all be done.

She has yet to loose the fountain

From its iron chain;

And to make the barren mountain

Green and bright again;

She must clear the snow that lingers

Round the stalks away,

And let the snow-drop's trembling whiteness

See the light of day.

She must watch, and warm, and cherish

Every blade of green,

Till the tender grass appearing

From the earth is seen;

She must bring the golden crocus

From her hidden store ;

She must spread broad showers of daisies
Each day more and more.

In each hedge-row she must hasten
Cowslips sweet to set;

Primroses in rich profusion,

With bright dew-drops wet, And under every leaf, in shadow Hide a violet!

Every tree within the forest

Must be decked anew;
And the tender buds of promise
Should be peeping through,
Folded deep, and almost hidden,

Leaf by leaf beside,

What will make the Summer's glory,
And the Autumn's pride.

She must weave the loveliest carpets,
Checkered sun and shade,

Every wood must have such pathways,
Laid in every glade ;

She must hang laburnum branches
On each arched bough ;-
And the white and purple lilac

Should be waving now;

She must breathe, and cold winds vanish

At her breath away;

And then load the air around her

With the scent of May!

Listen then, O Spring! nor linger

On thy charmed way ;

Have pity on thy 'prisoned flowers
Wearying for the day.

Listen to the rain-drops falling

From the cloudy skies;

Listen to the hours calling,
Bidding thee arise.

EVENING HYMN.

The shadows of the evening hours
Fall from the darkening sky;
Upon the fragrance of the flowers
The dews of evening lie;

Before Thy throne, O Lord of heaven,
We kneel at close of day;

Look on Thy children from on high, And hear us while we pray.

The sorrows of Thy servants, Lord,
O do not Thou despise ;

But let the incense of our prayers
Before Thy mercy rise;

The brightness of the coming night
Upon the darkness rolls:
With hopes of future glory chase
The shadows on our souls.

Slowly the rays of daylight fade;
So fade within our heart
The hopes in earthly love and joy,
That one by one depart :
Slowly the bright stars one by one,

Within the heavens shine ;-
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven,
And trust in things divine.

Let peace, O Lord, Thy peace, O God, Upon our souls descend;

From midnight fears and perils, Thou
Our trembling hearts defend;

Give us a respite from our toil,

Calm and subdue our woes;
Through the long day we suffer, Lord,
O give us now repose!

PER PACEM AD LUCEM.

I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be
A pleasant road;

I do not ask that Thou wouldst take from me
Aught of its load;

I do not ask that flowers should always spring
Beneath my feet;

I know too well the poison and the sting
Of things too sweet.

For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead,
Lead me aright-

Though strength should falter, and though heart. should bleed

Through Peace to Light.

I do not ask, O Lord, that Thou shouldst shed
Full radiance here;

Give but a ray of peace, that I may tread
Without a fear.