Stanzas [pp. 366]

A MOTHER'S LOVE.-STANZAS.
XENOPHON.
The following incident, related by the historian
Xenophon, is an interesting corroboration of the saying that "love is strong as death." When Cyrus
had taken captive a prince of Armenia, together
with his beautiful wife, of whom the prince was particularly fond, they were brought before the tribunal
of Cyrus to hear their sentence. Cyrus asked the
prince what he would give to be reinstated to his former glory. The latter replied, that he valued his
crown at a very moderate price, but that if he would
but restore his beloved wife to her former dignity
and happiness, he would willingly pay his life as a
ransom. The two were discharged, and permitted
to enjoy their freedom as they pleased, and each was
lavish in praise of the character of Cyrus.
"And what," said the prince, addressing his wife,
"what did you think of Cyrus?"
"I did not observe him," was the reply.
"Not observe him!" exclaimed the husband;
"how could this be?"
"My attention," she replied, "was fixed upon
that dear and generous man who so voluntarily declared his readiness to purchase my liberty at the expense of his life."
YOUTHI ENCOURAGED.
No man ever engaged in any lawful business, and
steadily persevered in it, but ultimately became benefited or distinguished. It is true, you may have
your hours of peril and despondency. Your situation in life may be very low, and you may toil hard
for a very slight remuneration. But never mind.
Keep a pure heart and pure desires, and determine
never to do wrong because others do, or because you
may, for the time being, profit yourself. Your virtues will not always be hidden, nor will your poverty always wrap round you as a mantle. Keep active;
keep doing, no matter how small the sphere of your
action may be. That sphere will soon be enlarged;
that influence of yours will soon be felt; and that
darkness surrounding you will be dispelled by the
full, warm sunlight of heaven. Never, then, despair; for often, when the clouds are blackest, and
the tempest is fiercest, that still small voice of hope
will arise and whisper in your ear, "There's a better day coming"-a time when you will be wanted,
when your influence will be felt, and when many
will wish to do you aid and honor.
ZION.
Zion-Mount Zion-the city of the great Kingthe New Jerusalem-this is the last journeying
place of the weary Christian pilgrim, the home of
his soul, and his everlasting rest. Here we have no
dwelling-place, no abiding city, but we seek a city
yet to come: here we have suffering and sorrow,
but there we shall abide for ever and ever-there
we shall be free from all the ills, and disappointments, and sorrows of life, and there our happiness
will be perfect throughout eternity.
A MOTHER'S LOVE.
BY D. TBIUE~A[IN
WARM is the love we feel,
For true and faithful friends,
Whose wishes for our weal
All selfishness transcends;
Yet cold neglect may blast
The fruit of former yearsThe bliss of friendships past
Be drowned in fruitless tears.
Deep is the love, I trow,
And pure as virgin snow,
When vow meets murmured vow,
In hope's ecstatic glow;
Yet trifles, light as air,
May turn the tide of fate,
And those who lovers were,
May even learn to hate.
Strong is the love that binds
In wedlock heart to heart,
Uniting kindred minds,
That would not, should not part;
That should not part, I ween,
Earth's canopy beneath;
Yet such have parted been Have crushed the bridal wreath!
True are the hearts that share
The light of friendship's sun,
And strong the love they bear,
Whose pulses beat as one.
One heart alone than this,
Doth stronger love conceal;
And deeper, purer bliss,
One heart alone can feel.
Where fickle fancy turns,
From pledges soon forgot,
One altar ever burns One spirit changeth not;
Though time and chance may wrench
Love's cup from lips that smiled,
Yet death alone can quench
The mother's for her child.
STANZAS.
B Y 1a: 0N T GO xE J~Y.
WHO that hath ever been,
Could bear to be no more?
Yet who would tread again the scene
He trod through life before?
On, with intense desire,
Man's spirit will move on:
It seems to die, yet, like heaven's fire,
It is not quenched, but gone.
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