Part 4 (2/2)

And 'midst the din of steel encount'ring steel The exultation and the groans arose Of warriors slaying, warriors being slain; And soon the earth flowed red with heroes' blood, And such the raging of the mingled host As wintry torrents, bursting from the hills, Hurl in one basin their impetuous flood, From mighty springs within the hollow rock; And the lone shepherd hears the distant roar.

Montreal.

(_Written in Winter._)

By thee, fair City, is Mount Royal based, Which, though its inward fires are extinct, Seems--in the flush of morning, indistinct, When misty shadows are across it chased, Over its flaky bosom pure and white, Which glows and glistens in the early light,-- Seems moved with pa.s.sion. 'Neath it thou art traced, In winter's jewelled brilliancy arrayed, With sparkling spire and gla.s.sy dome displayed: A gem-wrought girdle on a maiden's waist.

”Our Father.”

Father! How precious is that name to me!

Name rendered sacred e'en by earthly ties, How full of vaster meaning when applied To Him high-dwelling in the heavenly home!

How much of love it whispers to the soul!-- Of that true, pure, and unimpa.s.sioned love-- That lasting love which father bears to son!

It speaks of kindly interest, fond regard, And anxious care, the offspring of that love.

Its sound a.s.sures of guidance in the right, Of readiness to guard from what is ill, Of willingness to grant supporting aid, Of gracious blessings and of bounteous gifts.

And then, unlike a father here below, The heavenly Father's favour and his help Are unrestricted in their exercise-- His store unbounded, power infinite.

And while an earthly parent soon must go, He ever lives and ever is the same.

Sometimes my Heart by cruel Care Opprest.

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Sometimes my heart by cruel care opprest Faints from the weight of woe upon my breast, My soul embittered far beyond belief;-- As d.a.m.ned one, drinking galling draughts of grief, Which boils and burns within without relief, While fervid flames inflict the wounds unhealed, With h.e.l.lish horrors not to man revealed; When Peace and Joy seem wrapt in sable shrouds, And young Hope's heaven is black with lowering clouds 'Tis then thy vision comes before my view, 'Tis then I see those beaming eyes of blue, And hear thy gentle voice in accents kind, And see thy cheerful smile before my mind; And taking heart, I battle on anew; And thank my G.o.d for sending to my soul His own blest, soothing balm of peace again, Who sometimes still as in the days of old By angels sends His blessings down to men.

The Prayer of the Penitent Profligate.

Lord, I am weak and worthless, better fit To grovel in the dust, a worm of earth, Than wear Thy holy image, which I do But daily with defilement desecrate.

Long-suffering G.o.d! in mercy infinite!

That thou did'st not long since have cut me off, But still dost keep me in the place of hope!

Weak, worthless, wicked is this heart of mine, But Thou, O Lord, art all in all to me, For Thou art strong, Thy power is supreme, The G.o.d of might, from Thee all strength is sprung; And Thou hast vanquished man's great Enemy, And by Thy strength I too may vanquish him, And thus be worthy, washed from sin, to wear The holy image of my Maker, G.o.d.

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