Metrical tales, and other poems; - Electric Scotland

292 ODDS AND ENDS.
Nor yet shall my sister die," said she
" I'll sew the leaves upon yonder tree !
"
" Hush ! hush " ! said the weeping mother,
" hush !
The will of God be done
It pleaseth Him, in her youth's first flush.
To call our beauteous one
Away to a land beyond the tomb.
Where flowers and trees are in deathless bloom.
" But why must my sister go alone ?
And why must we remain ?
And why speak ye in so sad a tone,
And weep as if in pain ?
And why did doctor say, with a sigh,
'
Yes, she must wither, and droop, and die ? ' "
" My chUd, I cannot answer thee now.
But Time will answer all-
Wherefore the beautiful head must bow.
Wherefore the leaf must fall,
And, wherefore, the way to the Land of Light,
Is often through pain, and sorrow, and blight."
FINIS.