the altars of a household.
159
THE ALTARS OF A HOUSEHOLD.
In childhood round one common shrine they bent the knee in prayer,
Breathing that incense of the heart, a grateful offering, there.
A common love, a common faith their souls in union bound,
And there the same blest hope of heaven their mingling spirits found.
Breathing that incense of the heart, a grateful offering, there.
A common love, a common faith their souls in union bound,
And there the same blest hope of heaven their mingling spirits found.
The mother o'er her infant's couch in silent worship bent,
Raising her fervent prayer to God, all hushed, yet eloquent,
That in the fairer home above their spirits yet might meet,
And pour their holier homage forth before the Mercy-seat.
Raising her fervent prayer to God, all hushed, yet eloquent,
That in the fairer home above their spirits yet might meet,
And pour their holier homage forth before the Mercy-seat.
But years passed on. All beautiful as childhood's radiant dream,
Each bark of hope sped gayly on o'er life's unsullied stream.
The father's eye grew eloquent with thoughts he might not speak,
That holiest thing, a mother's tear, glowed on her kindling cheek.
Each bark of hope sped gayly on o'er life's unsullied stream.
The father's eye grew eloquent with thoughts he might not speak,
That holiest thing, a mother's tear, glowed on her kindling cheek.
