ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 195
If 1 should die tonight,
My friends would call to mind with loving thought
Some kindly deed the icy hands had wrought ;
Some gentle word the frozen lips had said ;
Errands on which the willing feet had sped ;
The memory of my selfishness and pride,
My hasty words, would all be put aside.
And so I should be loved and mourned tonight.
If I should die tonight,
Even hearts estranged would turn once more to me,
Recalling other days remorsefully.
The eyes that chill rue with averted glance,
Would look upon me as of yore perchance,
And soften in the old familiar way ;
For who could war with dumb unconscious clay ?
So I might rest, forgiven of all, tonight.
Oh, friends, I pray tonight.
Keep not your kisses from my dead cold brow,
The way is lonely—let me feel them now,
Think gently of me ; I am travel-worn ;
My faltering feet are pierced with many a thorn*
Forgive, oh hearts estranged, forgive, I plead !
When dreamless rest is mine I shall not need
The tenderness for which I long tonight.
Arabella Eugenia Smith
Everything Did With Him Talk
How like an angel came 1 down !
How bright are all things here !
When first among his works I did appear
O how their glory did me crown, !
The world resembled his eternity
In which my soul did walk,
And everything that I did see
Did with me talk.
The skies in their magnificence.
The lively, lovely air,
Oh, how divine, how soft, how sweet, how fair !
The stars did entertain my sense,
And all the works of God so bright and pure,
So rich and great did seem*
As if they ever must endure
In my esteem.
A native health and innocence
Within my bones did grow,