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Page:Poems Emma M. Ballard Bell.djvu/136

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130
CRUCE AND CORONA.
But passes soon before the bright'ning gleamProphetic of a high triumphant pow'r.
Upon Corona seems to rest the spellOf some celestial vision; and her eyesTurn heavenward with inspiration bright.
And when at last the aged one looks up,His eyes are bright with hope that shines through tears,And thus he to his pupils now doth speak:
"My children, I was thinking of the wordsWhich Jesus spoke to His disciples here,When of Himself He said that while 'twas dayThe work of Him that sent Him He must work.I thought, too, of that night of which He speaks,The night that cometh when no man can work.I know to me that night is coming soon:The record of my life is almost closed;And whether I my life-work well have wrought,He knoweth only Who all things doth know.But in my soul there is a holy faithThat I shall stand at last at God's right hand."
The old man ceases. And then Corona saith,"O rev'rend friend! the lessons thou hast taughtHave left an impress for eternity.