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TO THE MEMORY OF A BELOVED SON WHO PASSED FROM EARTH, APRIL 3rd, 1887.

I would gaze down the vista of past years,
In fancy see to-night,
A loved one passed from sight,
But whose blest memory my spirit cheers.

Shrined in the sacred temple of my soul,
He seems again to live,
And fond affection give,
His mother's heart comfort and console.

Perception of the beautiful and bright,
In nature and in art,
Evolved from his true heart
Perpetual beams like sunshine's cheering light.

A simple unsophisticated life,
With faith in action strong,
And perseverance long,
Made all he did with vigorous purpose rife.

Responsive to sweet sympathy's kind claim,
His quick impulsive heart
Loved to take active part
In mirthful joy or sorrowing grief and pain.

His manly face would glow with honest glee.
As with parental pride,
Which he ne'er sought to hide,
He fondly gazed on his loved family.

For them he crowned with industry his days;
Ever they were to him
The sweetest, holiest hymn
Of his heart's jubilant, exultant praise.

And Oh, the tender pity of his eye.
The gentle touch and word,
When his fond heart was stirred
To practical display of sympathy.

His true affection, manners gently gay,
The kiss that seems e'en now
Warm on my lips and brow,
Are memories that ne'er can pass away.

Naught can e'er lessen the fond hope that we
May, one day, meet above
With all we dearly love,
To live again in blissful unity.

A tender birdie mother sat
   In her soft nest one day,
Teaching her little fledglings, three,
   To gambol, sing, and play.

Dear little brood, the mother said,
   'Tis time for you to fly
From branch to branch, from tree to tree,
   And see the bright blue sky.

Chirrup, the eldest, quick replied,
   O yes, sweet mother mine,
We'll be so glad to hop about,
   And see the bright sunshine.

Twitter and Downy also said,
   We, too, shall happy be,
To bask within the sun's warm rays,
   And swing on branch and tree.

Well, then, the mother said, you shall,
   And straight the birdies all,
Perched on the edge of the high nest,
   Beside the chestnuts tall.

Remember, said the mother bird,
   You must not go beyond
That row of trees that skirt the edge
   Of the transparent pond.

For if you do you might get lost,
   Or drowned, and die in pain,
And never to our dear home nest
   Return in joy again.

Well mind your orders, mother dear,
   And will not disagree,
But do just what you tell us now,
   Said all the birdies three.

They hopped off on delighted wing,
   To the next chestnut tree,
O'erjoyed and panting with delight,
   The great, grand world to see.

Oh! what a bright, glad scene, they cried,
   And what a wond'rous sky!
What joy 'twould be to kiss the Sun,
   And be with him on high.

And I, said Downy, I should like
   To sail on yonder sea,
And with that pretty milk-white bird,
   Skim o'er the waters free.

Said Twitter, you talk very large,
   And do not seem to know
Our little wings have not yet power
   Beyond these trees to go.

Besides, said Chirrup, mother said
   We must not go beyond,
But only hop and fly about
   The trees that skirt the pond....