By the couch of pain he kneels again; Again, the thin hand lies Cold in his palm, while the last far look Steals into the steadfast eyes; And now the burden of hearts that break Lies heavy upon his own-- The widow's woe and the orphan's cry And the desolate mother's moan. So blithe and glad, so heavy and sad, Are the days that are no more, So mournfully sweet are the sounds that float With the winds from a far-off shore. For the pastor has learned what meaneth the word That is given him to keep,-- "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, And weep with them that weep." It is not in vain that he has trod This lonely and toilsome way. It is not in vain that he has wrought In the vineyard all the day; For the soul that gives is the soul that lives, And bearing another's load Doth lighten your own and shorten the way, And brighten the homeward road. WASHINGTON GLADDEN. * * * * * TWO RABBIS. The Rabbi Nathan, twoscore years and ten, Walked blameless through the evil world, and then Just as the almond blossomed in his hair, Met a temptation all too strong to bear, And miserably sinned. So, adding not Falsehood to guilt, he left his seat, and taught No more among the elders, but went out From the great congregation girt about With sackcloth, and with ashes on his head, Making his gray locks grayer. Long he prayed, Smiting his breast; then, as the Book he laid Open before him for the Bath-Col's choice, Pausing to hear that Daughter of a Voice, Behold the royal preacher's words: "A friend Loveth at all times, yea, unto the end; And for the evil day thy brother lives." Marvelling, he said: "It is the Lord who gives Counsel in need. At Ecbatana dwells Rabbi Ben Isaac, who all men excels In righteousness and wisdom, as the trees Of Lebanon the small weeds that the bees Bow with their weight. I will arise and lay My sins before him." And he went his way Barefooted, fasting long, with many prayers; But even as one who, followed unawares, Suddenly in the darkness feels a hand Thrill with its touch his own, and his cheek fanned By odors subtly sweet, and whispers near Of words he loathes, yet cannot choose but hear, So, while the Rabbi journeyed, chanting low The wail of David's penitential woe, Before him still the old temptation came, And mocked him with the motion and the shame Of such desires that, shuddering, he abhorred Himself; and, crying mightily to the Lord To free his soul and cast the demon out, Smote with his staff the blackness round about.