LINES

ON

THE DEATH OF A CHILD AT

DAY-BREAK

BY THE REV. MR. CECIL

"Let me go, for the day breaketh.”—Genesis, xxxii. 36 CEASE here longer to detain me,

Kindest mother, drowned in wo,
Now thy kind caresses pain me;
Morn advances-let me go.

See yon orient streak appearing!
Harbinger of endless day;
Hark! a voice the darkness cheering,
Calls my new-born soul away!

Lately launched a trembling stranger,

On this world's wide boisterous flood,
Pierc'd with sorrows, toss'd with danger,
Gladly I return to God.

Now my cries shall cease to grieve thee,
Now my trembling heart find rest;
Kinder arms than thine receive me,
Softer pillow than thy breast.

Weep not o'er these eyes that languish,
Upward turning toward their home;
Raptur'd they'll forget all anguish,
While they wait to see thee come.

There, my mother, pleasures centre-
-Weeping, parting, care or wo

Ne'er our Father's house shall enter

-Morn advances-let me go.

As through this calm and holy dawn,
Silent glides my parting breath,
To an EVERLASTING MORNING-
Gently close my eyes in death.
Blessings, endless, richest blessings,
Pour their streams upon thy heart!
(Though no language yet possessing)
Breathes my spirit ere we part.
Yet to leave thee sorrowing rends me,-
Now again this voice I hear;
Rise!-may every grace attend thee,
Rise, and seek to meet me there!

THE END.