Spring Lilies.

'Neath their green and cool cathedrals,     In the garden lilies bloom,     Casting to the fresh Spring Zephyrs     Peal on peal of sweet perfume.     Often have I, pausing near them     When the sunset flushed the sky,     Seen the coral bells vibrating     With their fragrant harmony.     And, within my quiet dwelling,     I have now a Lily fair,     Whose young spirit's sweet Spring budding     Watch I with unfailing care:     God, in placing her beside me,     Made my being most complete,     And my heart keeps time for ever     With the music of her feet.     I remember not, while gazing     In her earnest eyes of blue,     That the earth has aught of sorrow     Aught less innocent and true;     And the restlessness and longing     Wakened by the cares of day,     With the burden and the tumult,     In her presence fall away.     Shield my Lily, Holy Father!     Shield her from the whirlwind's might,     But protracted sunshine temper     With a soft and starry night;     'Neath the burning suns of Summer,     Withered, scorched, the spring-flower lies,     Human hearts contract, when strangers     Long to clouds and tearful eyes.     Give her purpose strong and holy,     Faith and self-devotion high;     These Life's common by-ways brighten     Every hope intensify.     Teach her all the brave endurance     That the sons of earth require;     May she, with a patient labor,     To the great and good aspire.     Should some mighty grief oppress her,     Heavier than she can bear,     Oh! sustain her by Thy presence,     Hear and answer Thou her prayer:     And whene'er the storms of winter     Round my precious Lily reign,     To a fairer clime transplant her,     There to live and bloom again.