THE SILENT CHILDREN. ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS. HE light was low in the school-room, Had ended. It was darkening in the garden, Throughout that House of Pity, The noiseless sport suspended, The little deaf-mute children, With their fine attentive fingers And their wonderful, watchful eyes What dumb joy he would bring them The lights blazed out in the school-room: The play-ground went dark as death; The master moved in a halo; The children held their breath. "I show you now a wonder- And answering spake the children, As the dead might answer too; "But what for us, O master? This may be good for you; "But how is our Christmas coming Out of a wise machine? For not like other children's Have our happy hours been; "And not like other children's Can they now or ever be!" But the master smiled through the halo; "Just trust a mystery. "O my children, for a little As those who suffer must! Great 'tis to bear denial, But grand it is to trust." Then to the waiting marvel The listening children leant, Like listeners, the shadows Across the school-room bent. Quick signalled then the master, Sweet sang the hidden choir Their voices, wild and piercing, Broke like a long desire THE SILENT CHILDREN. That to content has strengthened, "Nearer to Thee, oh, nearer, Nearer, my God, to thee!" Happy that Christmas evening: Who gave the deaf-mute children The blessed human voice. Wise was that other Master, We are all but silent children, -Wide Awake. 377 COUNSEL. M. E. W. SHERWOOD. F thou dost bid thy friend farewell, Tho' but for one night that farewell may be, Press thou his palm with thine!-how canst thou tell How far from thee Fate or caprice may lead his feet, Ere that to-morrow comes? Men have been known To lightly turn the corner of a street, And days have grown To months, and months to lagging years, Therefore, lest sudden death should come between, Yea, find thou alway time to say Some earnest word between the idle talk; Lest with thee henceforth, ever, night and day, Regret should walk. |