But still she smiled a loftier smile, And raised her frank, bright eyes, And cried—“I bear my vestal star, Home, home to yonder skies!” The wind is fresh—the sail swells free— High shoots the diamond spray! And merrily o’er the moaning sea The light boat leaps away! Suddenly, stillness broods around, A stillness as of death, Above, below—no motion, sound! Hardly a struggling breath! Then wild and fierce the tempest came, The dark wind-demons clashed, Their weapons swift—the air was flame! The waves in madness dashed! They swarmed around the tossing boat— “Wilt yield thy jewel _now_? Look! look! already drenched in spray, It trembles at the prow. “Be _ours_ the gem! and safely launched Upon a summer sea, Where never cloud may frown in heaven, Thy pinnance light shall be!” But still she smiled a fearless smile, And raised her trusting eyes, And cried—“I bear my talisman, Home, home to yonder skies!” And safe through all that blinding storm The true bark floated on, And soft its pearl-illumined prow Through all the tumult shone! An angel, guided through the clouds, By that most precious light, Flew down the fairy helm to seize And steer the boat aright. Then died the storm upon the sea! High dashed the diamond spray, And merrily leaping, light and free, The shallop sailed away! And meekly, when, at eve, her bark Its destined port had found, She moored it by the mellow spark Her jewel shed around! Would’st know the name the maiden wore? ’Twas Innocence—like thine! Would’st know the pearl she nobly bore? ’Twas Truth—a gem divine! _Thou_ hast the jewel—keep it bright, Undimmed by mortal fear, And bathe each stain upon its light With Grief’s repentant tear! Still shrink from Falsehood’s fairest guise, By Flattery unbeguiled! Still let thy heart speak from thine eyes, My pure and simple child! * * * * * HESTER ORMESBY. BY MRS. EMMA C. EMBURY. Aye, it is ever thus: in every heart Some thirst unslaked has been a life-long pang, Some deep desire in every soul has part, Some want has pierced us all with serpent fang; Oh, who from such a brimming cup has quaffed That not _one_ drop was wanting to life’s draught?