THE BOY CONFESSOR. The breathing miracle into silence passed: Never to stretch wee hands, with her dear smile: In tearful quiet now we might toil on. All dim the living lustres motion makes! No life-dew in the sweet cups of her eyes! Naught there of our poor "Splendid" but her brow. The world went lightly by and heeded not 41 THE BOY CONFESSOR. "A noble army-men and boys, The matron and the maid, Around the Saviour's throne rejoice, In robes of light arrayed. They climbed the steep ascent of Heaven, Through peril, toil, and pain! O God! to us may grace be given To follow in their train." IN the noble army of Martyrs we find enrolled the names not only of strong men, but of timid and gentle women, who "out of weakness were made strong," and of youths and maidens who, overcoming their childish fears, arose to a height of heroic fortitude F which filled their persecutors with wonder. Amongst these Cyril, who "witnessed a good confession" in the persecution under Valerian (A. D. 257), claims a place. His father was an idolater. Incensed by the boy's refusal to join in the sacrifices, he treated him with the utmost cruelty and turned him out of doors. The governor, hearing of this, ordered Cyril to be brought before him. At first he tried the effect of kindness. "My child," he said, "abandon these follies, and I will not only pardon you, but persuade your father to receive you again." "I rejoice in suffering reproaches for what I have done," said the fearless boy; "God has not cast me off. He will still receive THE THREE SONS. 43 me. When my father and my mother forsake me, He will take me up. I renounce earthly possessions, that I may receive the heavenly inheritance. I fear not death itself, because it will bring me to the better life." Finding persuasion unavailing, the governor tried threats. He gave orders that Cyril should be removed, his hands bound as though for immediate execution, and that the sword and the fire which awaited those who were obstinate in their refusal to sacrifice should be shown to him. This was done, and the governor again exhorted him to recant his Christian profession, saying, "My child, you have seen both the fire and the sword. Be wise, and return to your father and your home." But Cyril replied: "I fear neither the fire nor the sword. God is my Father. Put me to death without delay, that I may the sooner go to Him." The spectators wept aloud as they beheld the undaunted youth. Turning to them he said: "Weep not for me; rather rejoice. You know not how glorious a kingdom I am going to possess." And so he was led away to the place of execution. I THE THREE SONS. HAVE a son, a little son, a boy just five years old, With eyes of thoughtful earnestness and mind of gentle mould; They tell me that unusual grace in all his ways appears, That my child is grave and wise of heart beyond his childish years. how this may be; I know his face is fair, I cannot say And yet his chiefest comeliness is his sweet and serious air; But that which others most admire, is the thought that fills his mind, With thoughts about this world of ours, and thoughts about the next. And when I look into his eyes, and stroke his thoughtful brow, I have a son, a second son, a simple child of three,— I'll not declare how bright and fair his little features be, THE THREE SONS. 45 I have a son, a third sweet son, his age I cannot tell, |