POEMS

FROM

THE INNER LIFE.

PART II.

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THE succeeding poems were given under direct spirit influence before public audiences. For many of them I could not obtain the authorship, but for such as I could, the names are given.

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POEMS

FROM THE INNER
INNER LIFE.

THE SPIRIT-CHILD.

66

BY JENNIE."

O, THOU holy Heaven above us!
O, ye angel hosts who love us!
Ye alone know how to prove us
By the discipline of life—
That we faint not in endeavor,
But with cheerful courage ever
Rise victorious in the strife.

O, my sister! O, my brother
I was once a mortal mother;
4*

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One sweet blossom, and no other,

Bloomed upon the household tree:

Very fragile, very tender,

Very beautiful and slender

He was dear as life to me.

All the spring-time's fresh unfolding,
All of Art's exquisite moulding,
All that thrills one in beholding,

Centred in that fair young face; While an angel-tempered gladness, Almost blending into sadness,

Filled him with a nameless grace.

And I loved him without measure;
O, a ceaseless fount of pleasure
Found I in that little treasure!

And my heart grew good and great,
As I thanked the God of Heaven
That this precious one was given
Thus to cheer my low estate.

But, with all my prayers ascending,
I could hear a low voice blending,

Like some benison descending,

Saying, "Place thy hopes above;

For the test of all affection

Is the full and free rejection

Of all selfishness in love."

Then I felt a sad foreboding,
All my soul to anguish goading,
All my inward peace corroding;
And my rebel heart begun,
Crying wildly, that I would not
Yield my precious one-I could not
Say, "Thy will, not mine, be done."

Spring-time came with genial showers, Bursting buds and opening flowers, Singing birds and sunny hours,

Filling heaven and earth with light.

But the Summer -fair deceiver!

Came with pestilence and fever,

Came my little bud to blight.

O'er my threshold silent stealing,
Chilling every sense and feeling,