HOW fair you are, my mother! Ah, though 't is many a year Since you were here, Still do I see your beauteous face, And with the glow Of your dark eyes cometh a grace Of long ago. So gentle, too, my mother! Just as of old, upon my brow, Like benedictions now, Falleth your dear hand's touch; And still, as then, A voice that glads me over-much Cometh again, My fair and gentle mother! How you have loved me, mother, I have not power to tell, Knowing full well That even in the rest above It is your will To watch and guard me with your love, Loving me still. And, as of old, my mother, I am content to be a child, By mother's love beguiled From all these other charms; So to the last Within thy dear, protecting arms Hold thou me fast, My guardian angel, mother! KÖRNER'S BATTLE PRAYER. FATHER, I cry to Thee! Round me the billows of battle are pouring, Round me the thunders of battle are roaring; Father on high, hear Thou my cry,-- Father, oh, lead Thou me! Father, oh, lead Thou me! Lead me, o'er Death and its terrors victorious,-- See, I acknowledge Thy will as all-glorious; Point Thou the way, lead where it may,-- God, I acknowledge Thee! God, I acknowledge Thee! As when the dead leaves of autumn whirl round me, So, when the horrors of war would confound me, Laugh I at fear, knowing Thee near,-- Father, oh, bless Thou me! Father, oh, bless Thou me! Living or dying, waking or sleeping, Such as I am, I commit to Thy keeping: Frail though I be, Lord, bless Thou me! Father, I worship Thee! Father, I worship Thee! Not for the love of the riches that perish, But for the freedom and justice we cherish, Stand we or fall, blessing Thee, all-- God, I submit to Thee! God, I submit to Thee! Yea, though the terrors of Death pass before me, Yea, with the darkness of Death stealing o'er me, Lord, unto Thee bend I the knee,-- Father, I cry to Thee! GOSLING STEW. IN Oberhausen, on a time, I fared as might a king; And now I feel the muse sublime Inspire me to embalm in rhyme That succulent and sapid thing Behight of gentile and of Jew A gosling stew!