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JAMAICA PLAIN.
after the perfect. The very thought of her roused manliness to emulate the vigorous freedom, with which one was assured, that wherever placed she was that instant acting; and the mere mention of her name was an inspiration of magnanimity, and faithfulness, and truth.
‘“Sincere has been their striving; great their love,”
‘is a sufficient apology for any life,’ wrote Margaret; and how preëminently were these words descriptive of herself. Hers was indeed
“The equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will,
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
This indomitable aspiration found utterance in the following verses, on
| ‘SUB ROSA CRUX. |
| ‘In times of old, as we are told, |
| When men more childlike at the feet |
| Of Jesus sat than now, |
| A chivalry was known, more bold |
| Than ours, and yet of stricter vow, |
| And worship more complete. |
| ‘Knights of the Rosy Cross! they bore |
| Its weight within the breast, but wore |
| Without the sign, in glistening ruby bright, |
| The gall and vinegar they drank alone, |
| But to the world at large would only own |
| The wine of faith, sparkling with rosy light |
| ‘They knew the secret of the sacred oil, |
| Which, poured upon the prophet's head, |
