Such love He woke, I would my life have lain Low down to pave His way, "He loveth me Who loveth this sad world, and blesseth man," Came blown to me across the twilight sea. Perplexing questions died within my breast, "Deep peace hath he who doeth lovingly My will, who loveth most, he loveth best," Came blown to me across the twilight sea. The storm was overpast, a breath of balm Lapped the low waves, and lingered on the lea, For in the twilight fell a holy calm, He came unto me walking on the sea. * * * * * Was this a dream? If it were not a dream My life is blest in truth, and if it be, I know across the deep has fallen a gleam, A bridge of glory spans the twilight sea. NIGHTFALL. Soft o'er the meadow, and murmuring mere, Falleth a shadow, near and more near; Day like a white dove floats down the sky, Cometh the night, love, darkness is nigh; So dies the happiest day. Slow in thy dark eye riseth a tear, Hear I thy sad sigh, Sorrow is near; Hope smiling bright, love, dies on my breast, As day like a white dove flies down the west; So dies the happiest day. HIS PLACE. So all things come to our mind at last, He is close by your side in the twilight gloom, And you two are alone in the dim old room, Yet he is mute, as you bade him be, time past. You bade him to weary you, never again With his idle love, in truth he was wise, For he spake no more, although in his eyes You read, you fancied, a language of pain. But this is past, and vex you he never will, With loving glance, or look of sad reproach; His lips move not, smile not at your approach; The flowers he clasps are not more calm and still. Your favorite flowers he has heard you praise, Purple pansies, and lilies creamy white; But he offers them not to you to-night, He troubles you not, he has learned "his place." You wished to teach him that lesson, you told Him as much, you know, in this very room, 'Twas about this hour, for the twilight gloom As now, was enwrapping you, fold on fold. Was "his place" in the haunts of the herded poor, Where the pestilence stalked with deadly breath? Face to face with its dreadful shadow, death, How he wrestled with it from door to door, Giving his life that others life might find, Shaming you with his toil, his bravery, Not by a word or look, no boaster he, He was always gentle to you, and kind. He has found "his place," but no need of fears, No; you need not summon your jealous pride, For "his place" will never be by your side, Nevermore, nevermore, through all the years. And when from Time shall drop Earth's days Like chaff from the bloom of the year sublime, With the gentle spirits of every time, And the martyr souls, he will find his place. So answers will come to our seeking wills, Nevermore will his sad face vex your sight, For you never will make your robes so white As to stand by him on the heavenly hills.