(Written during sickness).

Soul-
Oh! say must I leave this world of light
With its sparkling streams and sunshine bright,
Its budding flowers, its glorious sky?
Vain -tis to ask me-I cannot die!

Angel-
But, sister, list! in the realms above,
That happy home of eternal love,
Are flowers more fair, and skies more clear
Than those thou dost cling to so fondly here.

Soul-
Ah! yes, but to reach that home of light
I must pass through the fearful vale of night;
And my soul with alarm doth shuddering cry-
O angel, I tell thee, I dare not die!

Angel-
Ah! mortal beloved, in that path untried
Will I be, as ever, still at thy side,
Through gloom to guide till, death-s shadows passed,
Thou nearest, unharmed, God-s throne at last.

Soul-
Alas! too many close ties of love
Around my wavering heart are wove!
Fond, tender voices, press me to stay-
Think-st thou from them I would pass away?
Daily my mother, with anguish wild,
Bends o-er the couch of her dying child,
And one, nearer still, with silent tears,
Betrays his anguish, his gloomy fears-
Yes, even now, while to thee I speak,
Are hot drops falling upon my cheek;
Think you I-d break from so close a tie?
No, my guardian angel, I cannot die!

Angel-
Poor child of earth! how closely clings
Thy heart to earth and to earthly things!
Wilt thou still revolt if I whisper low
That thy Father in Heaven wills it so-
Wills that with Him thou should-st henceforth dwell,
To pray for those whom thou lovest so well,
Till a time shall come when you-ll meet again,
To forget for ever life-s grief and pain?

Soul-
Spirit, thy words have a potent power
O-er my sinking heart in this awful hour,
And thy soft-breathed hopes, with magic might.
Have chased from my soul the shades of night.
Console the dear ones I part from now,
Who hang o-er my couch with pallid brow,
Tell them we-ll meet in yon shining sky-
And, Saviour tender, now let me die!