Poems (Hale)/The Appeal of Ruth

by Mary Whitwell Hale

THE APPEAL OF RUTH.

"Nay, turn my footsteps not away!
Faithful and fond, with thee I stay.
My heart,—oh! can it ever be
Divided from thy love and thee?

Pure as the early beam of light,
Which dissipates the shades of night,
That love shall be the holiest spell,
That ever in my heart can dwell.

That spell forbids me e'er to go
From thee, my dearest one below.
It binds its power around my heart;—
Gently forbids me to depart.

My sister,—let her footsteps roam
Back to her childhood's cherished home.
But what is childhood's home to me?
My lost one, there, I may not see.

True to that one, in life so dear,
Here will I dwell thine age to cheer.
Thou wert his mother, true and kind;
Love's holy chain our hearts shall bind.

My mother! that endearing name,
A daughter's heart would fondly claim,
The call of filial love obey,
And filial duty gladly pay.

Say, can I leave thine age alone,
Without one joy to call thine own?
No, I will leave thy side no more,
Till my life's pilgrimage is o'er.

And should be hushed thy fleeting breath,
My hands will close thine eyes in death;
And where thy mouldering ashes sleep,
My spirit shall its vigils keep.

Within one grave our forms shall rest
Gently, as on a mother's breast;
Nor fear to tread the narrow way,
Which leads to heaven's unclouded day.

And when before the mercy seat,
Our faithful hearts again shall meet,
The gracious boon shall then be given,
To meet our loved, our lost, in heaven."

Love! love! how deep thy seal is set!
Who can its impress e'er forget?
O! let thine influence ever rest,
Like truth's own signet, on the breast.