Mary Ann H. T. Bigelow

Oh! tell me ye shepherds, tell me I pray, Have you seen the fair Jessie pass by this way? You ne'er could forget her, if once you had seen,

Even now I seem to see thee, Lovely boy, with thy sweet smile, Bright and beautiful as when

For thee, my son, a mother's earnest prayer Rises to Heaven each day from heart sincere, Anxiously seeking what concerns thee most;

Cannot happiness perfect be found on this earth? How absurd to expect it - sin comes with our birth. As soon from spring bitter, sweet water procure,

Ah! what is this life? It's a dream, is the reply; Like a dream that's soon ended, so life passes by. Pursue the thought further, still there's likeness in each,

Hail, sober Autumn! thee I love, Thy healthful breeze and clear blue sky; And more than flowers of Spring admire

Ah! short-sighted monarch, dost thou think to pursue The Israel of God, and recapture them too? Hast thou so soon forgotten the plagues on thee sent,

Just before the bright cloud the Saviour received, When about to return to his father in Heaven; His mission accomplished, his work on earth done,

When writing to you, friend, a subject I'd find In which there's both pleasure and profit combined, And though what I've chosen may pain in review,

Mary and Lily - how sweet are those names, Allied as they are to my heart and my home; Recalling with freshness the days that are past,

I here engage Upon this page A picture to portray,

In the morning of life, when all things appear bright, And far in the distance the shadows of night, With kind parents still spared thee, and health to enjoy,

Feed my lambs! the Saviour said, Near two thousand years ago; If we truly love the Lord,

Come blest Spirit from above, Come and fill my heart with love; Love to God, and love to man,

We meet to-day as ne'er before, To greet a pastor of our choice, Without a single jarring note,

By the river Euphrates the prophet abode, To whom Balak his messengers sent, Entreating his presence and curses on those

A fair young girl was to the altar led By him she loved, the chosen of her heart; And words of solemn import there were said,

TO THE MEMORY OF PATRICK KELLEY, WHO BY HIS MANY GOOD QUALITIES DURING SOME YEARS' RESIDENCE IN MY FAMILY, GREATLY ENDEARED HIMSELF TO ME AND MINE. From Erin's fair Isle to this country he came, And found brothers and sisters to welcome him here;

"They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God. Hosea, 5:4." I would frame all my doings to please thee, my God!

My beautiful steed, 'Tis painful indeed To think we are parted forever;

I now will endeavor, while fresh in my mind, My Sabbath School Class to portray; The theme's furnished for me, I've only to find

My times are in thy hand, my God! And I rejoice that they are so; My times are in thy hand, my God,

Remember the poor, in the dark chilly day, When November's loud winds are fierce blowing; Remember the poor, at thy plentiful board,

Dear Madam, Many thanks for your missive so charming in verse, So kind and descriptive, so friendly and terse;

Many, many thanks my friend, For those sweet verses thou didst send, So good they were and witty;

His mission soon accomplished, His race on earth soon run, He passed to realms of glory,

SENT BY MR. W. TO THE LADIES OF WAYLAND, AT THEIR FAIR HELD ON MAY-DAY. Many, many kind thanks from the Waylanders fair, Who are sorry, quite sorry you could not be there,

On a midsummer's eve she lay down to sleep, Wearied and toil-worn the maiden was then; How deep was that slumber, how quiet that rest,

Thou art a perfect Sovereign, oh my God! And I rejoice to think that thou art so; That all events are under thy control,

Take no thought for the morrow, the Saviour hath said, And he spake as ne'er man spake before; "He carried our sorrows," "was acquainted with grief,"

Dark and yet darker my day's clouded o'er; Are its bright joys all fled, and its sunshine no more? I look to the skies for the bright bow in vain,

As the shadows of evening around me are falling, With its dark sombre curtain outspread, And night's just at hand, chilly night so appalling,

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. "That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life." St. John, 3:14, 15.

EDDIE TO JESSIE. There are many flowers famous for fragrance and hue, Sweet Roses and Lilies, Geraniums too;

FROM THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS OR THE NORMAN CONQUEST, TO THE PRESENT REIGN, INCLUSIVE. First, William the Norman lays claim to the crown And retains it till death; then follows his son

FOR MY DAUGHTER MARGARET. Very like to a dream, Doth the time to me seem,

Lo the curtains of night around Palestine fall, And Jerusalem's streets into darkness are thrown; The late-busy hum of men's voices is hushed,

By especial request I take up my pen, To write a few lines to my dear Mrs. N.; And though nothing of depth she has right to expect;

FOR MANY YEARS DEPRIVED OF SIGHT. They say the sun is shining In all his splendor now,

Two flowers upon one parent stem Together bloomed for many days. At length a storm arose, and one

To thee, the guardian of my youthful days, Fain would I pay some tribute of respect; And though it falls far short of thy desert,

My very dear friend Should never depend Upon anything clever or witty,

Just two-and-forty years have passed[5] Since we, a youthful pair, Together at the altar stood,

Why, dear friends, oh! tell us wherefore You're so anxious to be gone; Is the country late adopted

When days are dark and spirits low, And hope desponding stands, What comfort these few words bestow,

His thundering car Is heard from afar, And his trumpet notes sound

I have a little Grandchild dear, Who sends to me on each new year A valuable present: