A Prayer For The Past.

    Now far from my old northern land,
    I live where gentle winters pass;
    Where green seas lave a wealthy strand,
    And unsown is the grass;

        Where gorgeous sunsets claim the scope
    Of gazing heaven to spread their show,
    Hang scarlet clouds in the topmost cope,
    With fringes flaming low;

        With one beside me in whose eyes
    Once more old Nature finds a home;
    There treasures up her changeful skies,
    Her phosphorescent foam.

        O'er a new joy this day we bend,
    Soft power from heaven our souls to lift;
    A wondering wonder thou dost lend
    With loan outpassing gift--

        A little child. She sees the sun--
    Once more incarnates thy old law:
    One born of two, two born in one,
    Shall into one three draw.

        But is there no day creeping on
    Which I should tremble to renew?
    I thank thee, Lord, for what is gone--
    Thine is the future too!

        And are we not at home in Thee,
    And all this world a visioned show,
    That, knowing what Abroad is, we
    What Home is too may know?