Jump to content

Poems (Acton)/The Sleeping Monitor

From Wikisource
4625079Poems — The Sleeping MonitorHarriet Acton and Rose Acton

THE SLEEPING MONITOR.
There lay a weary child
'Neath an old tree;
In its sweet sleep it smiled,
How joyfully!
Bright must its dreams have been,
Couched in that sylvan scene
So peacefully.

One near that sheltered spot
Gloomily pass'd;
Fortune around his lot
Rich gifts had cast;
Yet did his heart declare
Peace from its sojourn there
Still hurried fast.

Slowly his footsteps stray
By glade and hill,
Where the young sleeper lay
Slumbering still;
Smiles on its eyelids rest,
As if its guileless breast
Gay visions fill.

Soft stole the stranger on,
Downward he bent;
Long that smooth brow upon
Gazed he intent;
"Oh! that such rest were mine!
And to my sleep like thine
Sweet dreams were sent."

Tears o'er his earnest gaze
Silently start;
Thoughts of forgotten days
Steal round his heart;
When with his day-dreams fair,
Like the child sleeping there,
Grief had no part.

All that the world calls great,
His might be styled;
Glory and high estate
On him had smil'd;
Yet had he falsehood found,
And for its sleep profound
Envied that child.

Then came the yearning thought—
Would it be vain,
If he with fervour sought
Sweet peace to gain?
How should he welcome rest
Back to his wearied breast
Gladly again?

"Peace may once more be thine!"
Hope whispered low;
But in thy bosom's shrine
Change must thou know.
Some to thee false have seem'd,
All hast thou worthless deem'd—
Ah, 'tis not so!

"Scatter thou mercy's seed,
Wipe tears away,
Kind word and noble deed
Sow while you may:
Gladden the mourning one—
Joy, for such mercies done,
With thee shall stay."

"Sweet one! the stranger cried,
"Sleep in thy dell;
Peace doth thy slumbers guide
As with a spell.
Holy thoughts woke by thee,
Never shall pass from me—
God guard thee well!"
H. A.