poems.
59
OVER THE RIVER.
Softly, then, as the setting sun
Fades from earth when day is done,
And leaves a raiment of sunny gold
Upon the hills, so gray and cold,
Faded Willie! our little boy,
With his golden curls and smile of joy!
His free, glad voice is hushed forever,
And he has crossed beyond the river.
And then the summons came again,
And filled our hearts with woe and pain:
It called for Effie! our baby girl,
With her eyes of blue, and soft brown curl,
And we yielded her up to the "boatman old,"
Who stood in his place.by the river cold.
He crossed with her to the farther side,
Beyond the waves and the dashing tide;
And we stood and gazed, but all in vain,
We could not call her back again;
Fades from earth when day is done,
And leaves a raiment of sunny gold
Upon the hills, so gray and cold,
Faded Willie! our little boy,
With his golden curls and smile of joy!
His free, glad voice is hushed forever,
And he has crossed beyond the river.
And then the summons came again,
And filled our hearts with woe and pain:
It called for Effie! our baby girl,
With her eyes of blue, and soft brown curl,
And we yielded her up to the "boatman old,"
Who stood in his place.by the river cold.
He crossed with her to the farther side,
Beyond the waves and the dashing tide;
And we stood and gazed, but all in vain,
We could not call her back again;
