The Two Lullabies.

"Once songs as lullabies to thee I sung,         To sleep hath sung thee now an angel's tongue."         From the German of Ruckert.     A lovely babe was lying         Upon its mother's breast;     And she, with soft, low music.         Was hushing it to rest.     The song was sweet and gentle,         And loving in its tone;     And in its touching tenderness         A mother's love was shown.     And still it floated onward,         With melody so deep,     Till closed the dark-fringed eyelids,         The baby was asleep.     And still beside his cradle         She sang the same low hymn,     Till he smiled, as he was sleeping,         At angel fancies dim.     Years passed.--The helpless infant         Was now a happy boy;     And often rang his laughter,         In notes of heartfelt joy.     Upon his mother's bosom         I saw the child again;     And his little head was drooping         In weakness and in pain.     Back from his marble forehead         The hair streamed, golden bright;     But yet his dark eye sparkled         With more than mortal light.     And suddenly he whispered,         "What music sweet I hear!     'Tis not the song you used to sing         At night, O mother dear!     "But sweeter far, and softer,         Than notes you ever sung;     It is as if a silver bell         Its pleasant chimings rung.     "It tells of rest, dear mother,         Of slumber calm and deep;     And I am worn and weary,         And fain 'would sink to sleep.     "Darkness is closing round me--         You're fading from my sight--     I hear it still!--dear mother,         Kiss me once more--good-night!"     He slept; but angel voices         Had sung his lullaby;     And sweet shall be his waking         In our Father's home on high!