Whereon  his  feet  might  tread  ;
And  in  the  winter  evenings
O'er  their  needles  and  their  frames
They  told  most  tragic  stories
Of  the  old-world  knights  and  dames.
And  their  way  of  life  was  tranquil.
And    their    thoughts    were   pure   and

sweet.
And  the  poor  that  lived  beside  them
Thought  the  better  of  the  street,
When  the  gentry  came  to  see  them.
And  the  great  world,  in  the  pride
Of  its  carriages  and  horses.
Drew  the  children  to  its  side ;
Though  a  grander  world  was  inside
If  they  had  but  eyes  to  see
The  faith  and  love  that  dwelt  there.
And  true-hearted  piety.
A  Dark  Evening — Found  and  Lost


551


A  DARK  EVENING

The  night  is  darkening,  and  the  tide

is  leaping
Upon  the  narrow  stretch  of  lessening

shore,
Soon    to  engulph   it,  while  the   mists

are  creeping.
And   folding   round    behind   me   and

before.
My  world  is  growing  small  and  dim

and  lonely.
And  its  brief  day  of  brightness  closing

fast,
I  have  for  comrades  ghostly  shadows

only.
Whose   voices   are   but    echoes   from

the  past.
They  went  before  me,  some  in  youth-
fiil  pride.
In  manhood  some,  or  noble  woman-
hood.
And  none  may  take  their  places  by
my  side.
Or  make  this  life,  as  they  did,  full
and  good.
Much  love  was  given  me,  far  beyond

my  merit ;
And  its  fond  service,  and  its  tender

touch.
And  words  and  sweet  caressings  haunt

my  spirit —
O  God,  that  I  had  only  loved  as  much  !

'Tis  not  the  love  we  get,  but  that  we

give,
Which  leaves  glad  memories   for  the

coming  years, —
Rich  after-glows  of  sunset,  and   we

live,
And  scarce   feel  any  sorrow  in   our

tears.
I've  lived  my  life ;  its  task  of  work

is  ended.
