The Ladies' Companion. June, 1840 || +1 || +2
Original.
LINES.
BY MISS M. MILES.
A low strain of music fell upon my ear, that stirred up many
mournful memories. One! the dearest and loveliest of our
household band, had fondly loved that sweet melody, and
as we watch'd hour after hour, beside her dying bed—she
would beg for music! low music! and flowers! for she prized
earth's beautiful things, as evidence of her Father's love'.
And when she sunk calmly into the dreamless sleep, it was
with a spirit purified from error, ere the clouds of sorrow had
dimmed its brightness. But with music there is blent mournfulness,
for it calls memory's land” the loved and lost!
IT comes, to break the hush again,
That fairy-like, and thrilling strain;
But mournfully, tho' sweet and clear,
It lingers now upon mine ear—
Touching a chord within my heart—
That hath with earthly things, no part.
It carries me back to a still, pleasant room—
When the mild summer came, in its brightness and bloom,
Where we watch'd thro' long hours o'er a dear one's decay—
In the light of young loveliness passing away,
'Till it seemed as her couch were the couch of the blest,
And angels watched o'er it, to bear her to rest.
No gloom round the dying! bright flowers were there,
The tulip, and blush rose, and lily-bell fair;
And music, just such as a pure one would love,
Whose spirit unfetter'd was soaring above.
And smiles of affection altho' when apart,
The bitter tears gushed, from the half-breaking heart.
The tones that she loved, are still dearest to me,
But mournfulness blends with their deep melody;
And tho' one sweet star has gone down in our Heaven,
And one “silver cord” in the harp of life riven,
There still is a land, where the music and flowers
Ne'er feel the sad blight, of this dim world of ours.
