The face that is honest is known at a glance,
And needn't be studied for years!

And when petty Prudence would put me to school
About caution, and care, and all that,

I trust that, like some folks, I yield to the rule
Of wearing a head in my hat;

But more that remains is better than brains,
And I know not that some folks are blest,
Like me, with a share in a custom more rare,
Of wearing a heart in my breast!

Then come with all welcome! I fear not to fling
Reserve to the winds and the waves,

And never can cling to the cold-blooded thing
Society makes of its slaves:

Thou dignified dullard, so cloudy and cold,
Get out of the sunshine for me;

But, hearty good friend! whether new one or old,
A Welcome for Ever to thee!

BALM.

PATIENCE, yet one little hour,
Pale, unloved, uncourted flower,
Seeing not the sun;

Patience, heart of depth and duty,

Yearning for the smiles of beauty,
Never catching one:

BALM.

Patience, martyr following faintly,
Gentle nun, serene and saintly,
Kneeling in the dust;

Oh not vain thy long-enduring!
Still with meekest might securing
Triumph to thy trust!

Hushing every mutter'd murmur,
Tranquil Fortitude the firmer

Girdeth thee with strength;

While, no treason near her lurking,
Patience, in her perfect working,
Shall be Queen at length.

And, behold thy pious daring
Is a glorious crown preparing

For thine own sweet brow;

Precious pearls of softest lustre
Shall with brightest jewels cluster
Where the thorns are now!

Faith and Patience! sister, brother,-
Lean in love on one another,
Calm for good or ill :

Comforted by surely knowing
That the Ruler is bestowing
Strength in sitting still!

O ye virgin spirits wasting,

O ye hearts of thousands, hasting
Darkly to decay,

121

Through the blight of disappointment,-
Tenderly, with precious ointment
Lull those cares away;

Tenderly, with wise beguilings,

Court sweet Patience for her smilings On that ruin drear;

Soon, with other sister graces,

Shall she make your hearts and faces
Laugh away their fear:

Self-Contentment, bright-eyed Duty,
Faith in his archangel beauty,
Joy, and Love sublime,

Follow, Patience, where thy finger
Gently beckons Hope to linger
On the wrecks of time!

MY OWN PLACE.

And oh, the shame and sadness,
To see how insincerely

The heart, that in its gladness

Went forth to love men dearly,
Is chill'd, and all its warmth repell'd
As just a low mistake,

And half the cordial yearnings quell'd
It felt for others' sake.

The service it would render

Is call'd intrusive boldness,
And thus, that heart so tender,
Now hardening to coldness,
Returns, returns,—a blighted thing!

To scorn those early days,

The freshness of its green young spring,
Its beauty and its praise.

123

MY OWN PLACE.

WHOEVER I am, wherever my lot,

Whatever I happen to be,

Contentment and Duty shall hallow the spot
That Providence orders for me;

No covetous straining and striving to gain
One feverish step in advance,—

I know my own place, and you tempt me in vain
To hazard a change and a chance!

I care for no riches that are not my right,
No honour that is not my due;

But stand in my station by day, or by night,
The will of my Master to do;

He lent me my lot, be it humble or high,
And set me my business here;

And whether I live in His service, or die,
My heart shall be found in my sphere!

If wealthy, I stand as the steward of my King; If poor, as the friend of my LORD;

If feeble, my prayers and my praises I bring;
If stalwart, my pen or my sword :

If wisdom be mine, I will cherish His gift;
If simpleness, bask in His love;

If sorrow, His hope shall my spirit uplift;
If joy, I will throne it above!

The good that it pleases my God to bestow,
I gratefully gather and prize;

The evil, it can be no evil, I know,

But only a good in disguise;

And whether my station be lowly or great,

No duty can ever be mean,

The factory cripple is fix'd in his fate
As well as a King or a Queen!

For duty's bright livery glorifies all
With brotherhood equal and free,
Obeying, as children, the heavenly call,

That places us where we should be;