A MAIDEN in the arms of death Unconscious lay; her failing breath Came fitful, faint, and low: The damps of death her brow bedew Her lips and cheeks of ashy hue— Her pulses sunk and slow. What prayers for power, what tears were shed By friends and parents o'er the bed Where she, their loved one, lay? O God! to Thee we now resign Thy precious gift—for she is Thine, And may no longer stay. Crept o'er her eyes a dim eclipse, Yet life still hovered on her lips, And still they watch and pray; When Jesus—present, though unseen— Death and the Maiden passed between, And motioned him away. "Maiden, I say to thee, arise!" He spoke, and light came to her eyes. And life resumed its sway. "Not yet," she said, "I enter heaven; Me, to your prayers God has given With you awhile to stay." With tears of joy and looks of love Around the bed the parents move, And gaze into her eyes; For life renewed and hope restored, They praise, adore, and bless the Lord: Their thanks to Heaven arise. And now the Maiden lives to prove, By works of faith and deeds of love, Her love to Him who gave Himself for her; while in the bloom Of youth for her dispelled the gloom, And closed the opening grave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 6 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING LULLABY OF A LOVER by GEORGE GASCOIGNE CORONATION by HELEN MARIA HUNT FISKE JACKSON A CHRISTMAS FOLK-SONG by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE THE WALLABOUT MARTYRS by WALT WHITMAN |