The Young-ones gathered in from hill and dale, With holiday delight on every brow: 'Tis passed away; far other thoughts prevail; For they are taking the baptismal Vow Upon their conscious selves; their own lips speak 5 The solemn promise. Strongest sinews fail, And many a blooming, many a lovely, cheek Under the holy fear of God turns pale; While on each head his lawn-robed servant lays An apostolic hand, and with prayer seals 10 The Covenant. The Omnipotent will raise Their feeble Souls; and bear with _his_ regrets, Who, looking round the fair assemblage, feels That ere the Sun goes down their childhood sets. XXIV CONFIRMATION CONTINUED I saw a Mother's eye intensely bent Upon a Maiden trembling as she knelt; In and for whom the pious Mother felt Things that we judge of by a light too faint: Tell, if ye may, some star-crowned Muse, or Saint! 5 Tell what rushed in, from what she was relieved-- Then, when her Child the hallowing touch received, And such vibration through[301] the Mother went That tears burst forth amain. Did gleams appear? Opened a vision of that blissful place 10 Where dwells a Sister-child? And was power given Part of her lost One's glory back to trace Even to this Rite? For thus _She_ knelt, and, ere The summer-leaf had faded, passed to Heaven.[302] FOOTNOTES: [301] 1837. ... to ... 1827. [302] Compare the tribute to a Daughter, who died within the year after her confirmation, in _A Presbyterian Clergyman looking for the Church_, by the Rev. Flavel S. Mines, p. 95.--ED. XXV SACRAMENT Published 1827 By chain yet stronger must the Soul be tied: One duty more, last stage of[303] this ascent, Brings to thy food, mysterious[304] Sacrament! The Offspring, haply at the Parent's side; But not till They, with all that do abide 5 In Heaven, have lifted up their hearts to laud And magnify the glorious name of God, Fountain of Grace, whose Son for sinners died. Ye, who have duly weighed the summons, pause No longer; ye,[305] whom to the saving rite 10 The Altar calls; come early under laws That can secure for you a path of light Through gloomiest shade; put on (nor dread its weight) Armour divine, and conquer in your cause! FOOTNOTES: [303] 1827. ... to ... Coleorton MS. [304] 1845. ... memorial ... 1827. [305] 1845. Here must my Song in timid reverence pause: But shrink not ye ... 1827. XXVI THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY[306] Composed 1842.--Published 1845