Page:Poems Taggart.djvu/113

65

TO A BELOVED SISTER, A FEW WEEKS BEFORE HER DEATH.

Dear Sister, precious, cordial friend,
 By nature's warm and kindred tie;
Till thought in dark oblivion end,
 My love for thee can never die.

Wert thou in peace, in health, and joy,
 My heart should quick responsive thrill,
And, sympathizing in thy bliss,
 Bid every torturing throb be still.

But now, the sad reverse is thine;
 The blooming health of other years
Has fled thy glowing heart, and thou
 Must own the world a vale of tears;

Where pain and sorrow all oppress,
 And quickly waste the fragile form:
The transient dreams of youthful bliss
 Fast flee before affliction's storm.

But, Sister, Gilead's balm is near,
 Its healing free, could'st thou believe:
The Son of God for thee doth care;
 His arms are ready to receive;