MARY.
261
It is the first time I have asked it of you
Upon my knees, because you still denied me,
But I have asked it of my Heavenly Father
Upon my knees, for years, and something tells me
That He has not refused me!" Then my father
Was silent for awhile, but pressed my hand,
And to his lip before he spoke there came
A smile, that was itself a piece of Heaven;
He said, "Oh, Mary! rightly art thou named,
For thou art like thy namesake in the Bible,
Thou hast loved much! be therefore unto thee
The more forgiven, and when thou art, my daughter,
As near thy end as now I draw to mine,
Then may thy heavenly Father pardon thee
All things that thou hast done through life to grieve him,
As freely as I now forgive and bless thee."
But at his words I wept—"Oh, Father! William!
You have not mentioned William's name! to me
It is no blessing if he does not share it."
He smiled and answered, turning to our friend,
"(Said I not well that she was rightly named?)
But when I blessed thee, Mary, even in thought
I did not put asunder those whom God
Hath joined so close and kindly; go for William,
Yes, go for my son William, that my soul
May bless you both together ere I die:"
I would have flown to fetch him then, but felt
A hand upon my arm, that stopped me kindly;
It was the good old clergyman—his eyes
Upon my knees, because you still denied me,
But I have asked it of my Heavenly Father
Upon my knees, for years, and something tells me
That He has not refused me!" Then my father
Was silent for awhile, but pressed my hand,
And to his lip before he spoke there came
A smile, that was itself a piece of Heaven;
He said, "Oh, Mary! rightly art thou named,
For thou art like thy namesake in the Bible,
Thou hast loved much! be therefore unto thee
The more forgiven, and when thou art, my daughter,
As near thy end as now I draw to mine,
Then may thy heavenly Father pardon thee
All things that thou hast done through life to grieve him,
As freely as I now forgive and bless thee."
But at his words I wept—"Oh, Father! William!
You have not mentioned William's name! to me
It is no blessing if he does not share it."
He smiled and answered, turning to our friend,
"(Said I not well that she was rightly named?)
But when I blessed thee, Mary, even in thought
I did not put asunder those whom God
Hath joined so close and kindly; go for William,
Yes, go for my son William, that my soul
May bless you both together ere I die:"
I would have flown to fetch him then, but felt
A hand upon my arm, that stopped me kindly;
It was the good old clergyman—his eyes
