The Two Lullabies.

    "Once songs as lullabies to thee I sung,
    To sleep hath sung thee now an angel's tongue."

    From the German of Ruckert.



A lovely babe was lying
    Upon its mother's breast;
And she, with soft, low music.
    Was hushing it to rest.

The song was sweet and gentle,
    And loving in its tone;
And in its touching tenderness
    A mother's love was shown.

And still it floated onward,
    With melody so deep,
Till closed the dark-fringed eyelids,
    The baby was asleep.

And still beside his cradle
    She sang the same low hymn,
Till he smiled, as he was sleeping,
    At angel fancies dim.

Years passed.--The helpless infant
    Was now a happy boy;
And often rang his laughter,
    In notes of heartfelt joy.

Upon his mother's bosom
    I saw the child again;
And his little head was drooping
    In weakness and in pain.

Back from his marble forehead
    The hair streamed, golden bright;
But yet his dark eye sparkled
    With more than mortal light.

And suddenly he whispered,
    "What music sweet I hear!
'Tis not the song you used to sing
    At night, O mother dear!

"But sweeter far, and softer,
    Than notes you ever sung;
It is as if a silver bell
    Its pleasant chimings rung.

"It tells of rest, dear mother,
    Of slumber calm and deep;
And I am worn and weary,
    And fain 'would sink to sleep.

"Darkness is closing round me--
    You're fading from my sight--
I hear it still!--dear mother,
    Kiss me once more--good-night!"

He slept; but angel voices
    Had sung his lullaby;
And sweet shall be his waking
    In our Father's home on high!