ST. AUGUSTINE AND MONICA.
When Monica's young son had felt her kiss —
Her weeping kiss—for years, her sorrow flow'd
At last into his wilful blood ; he owed
To her his after-life of truth and bliss :
And her own joy, what words, what thoughts could paint !
When o'er his soul, with sweet constraining force.
Came Penitence—a fusion from remorse —
And made her boy a glorious Christian saint.
Oh ye, who tend the young through doubtful years
Along the busy path from birth to death.
Parents and friends ! forget not in your fears
The secret strength of prayer, the holy breath
That swathes your darlings ! think how Austin's faith
Rose like a star upon his mother's tears !
When Monica's young son had felt her kiss —
Her weeping kiss—for years, her sorrow flow'd
At last into his wilful blood ; he owed
To her his after-life of truth and bliss :
And her own joy, what words, what thoughts could paint !
When o'er his soul, with sweet constraining force.
Came Penitence—a fusion from remorse —
And made her boy a glorious Christian saint.
Oh ye, who tend the young through doubtful years
Along the busy path from birth to death.
Parents and friends ! forget not in your fears
The secret strength of prayer, the holy breath
That swathes your darlings ! think how Austin's faith
Rose like a star upon his mother's tears !