Star Worship.
A fair-haired child, with steadfast, dark-fringed eyes,1
And dainty limbs that moved with supple grace,2
Her evening prayer just ended, with a smile3
And coaxing words, looked in her mother’s face :4
“ Nay, mother, leave the curtains for to-night—5
At least, till I’m asleep ; for don’t you see,6
Right up amidst the blue, a tiny star ?7
I love it, and I think it smiles at me.”8
Years after, in a mansion further south,9
Moved a pale woman with soft, tender eyes,10
And just that quiet droop about the mouth11
Wherein so much of life’s sad pathos lies.12
Both wealth and rank had wooed her ; but to all13
She answered “ Nay,” with such soft, sweet address,14
Not one in sorrow as they turned away15
But prayed “ God bless her” for her graciousness.16
’Twas said of her by one both true and good,17
Whose name was counted great amongst his kind :18
“ She is the purest type of womanhood19
Heart could desire, or wisdom hope to find.20
Yet lacks she one thing—(As a faithful friend,21
How true and loyal she can be all own)—22
Add tender Wife and Mother, then indeed23
Grace unto grace is added, crown to crown.”24
Years after, in a city’s vast hotel,25
This man lay sick to death : strange hands to tend,26
All alien faces watching where he lay,27
Unknown, unknowing, and without a friend ;28
Then, with a grave, calm look about the mouth,29
But prayer to God to check her heart’s wild beat,30
She with soft step into that darkened room31
Came like a sunbeam from the narrow street.32
And so she nursed him, all unconscious, till33
The tired eyes ope’d and looked at her one day :34
One long glad look ere heart and pulse grew still,35
And death had closed the weary lids for aye.36
And tho’ her faith had taught her for the dead37
(Our nearest and our dearest) prayers are vain :38
Yet ever, when “ Our Father” had been said,39
“ God bless him” on the Amen softly came.40
Until God’s angel, with a pitying touch,41
Sealed the sad lips ere those three words were o’er ;42
And one “ God bless —” was ended face to face,43
Hand clasped in hand upon a love-lit shore ;44
While darker grew the chamber ; for death’s wing45
In silent majesty filled all the place,46
Save where a curtain parted, and a star47
Looked down in sorrow on the poor dead face.48