REMORSE. VI. SHAME. I BEAR upon my brow the sign It is the mark of Cain. The course of passion and the fret Of godless hope and fear, Toil, care and guilt,—their hues have set, Saviour! wash out the imprinted shame! That I no more may pine, Sin's martyr, though not meet to claim d. VII. BONDAGE. Он, prophet, tell me not of peace, Thou from thy birth hast set thy face And note His secret word. I ne'er shall reach Heaven's glorious path; Yet haply tears may stay The purpose of His instant wrath, And slake the fiery day. Then plead for me, thou blessed saint, While I in haste begin All man e'er guessed of work or plaint To wash away my sin. VIII. TERROR. O FATHER, list a sinner's call! I cannot wear guilt's silent thrall: Cleanse me, kind Saint! "Sinner ne'er blunted yet sin's goad; Speed thee, my son, a safer road, And sue His pardoning smile Who walked woe's depths, bearing man's load Of guilt the while." Yet raise a mitigating hand, And minister some potion bland, Some present fever-stay! Lest one for whom His work was planned Die of dismay. "Peace cannot be, hope must be thine; I can but lift the Mercy-sign. This wouldst thou? It shall be ! Kneel down, and take the word divine, ABSOLVO TE. IX. 8. RESTLESSNESS. ONCE, as I brooded o'er my guilty state, A fever seiz'd me, duties to devise But scourge and penance, and perverse self-hate, Or gift of cost, served by an artifice To quell my restless thoughts, and envious sighs And doubts, which fain heaven's peace would antedate. Thus, as I tossed, He said :—" Even holiest deeds : Shroud not the soul from God, nor soothe its needs; And learn to kneel before the Omniscient Ray, d. THE PAST AND THE PRESENT. X. THE PAINS OF MEMORY. WHAT time my heart unfolded its fresh leaves And sudden-whelming storm ; But, ah! my self-will smiled, nor recked the gracious sound. So now defilement dims life's morning-springs; I cannot hear an early-cherished strain, But first a joy, and then it brings a pain Fear, and self-hate, and vain remorseful stings: Not without hope, this breast May one day lose its load, and youth yet bloom again. d. |