Enough for him the silent grasp And he the bracelet's radiant clasp Strength to his hours of manly toil! Who loves alike the furrowed soil, Sweet smiles to keep forever bright And faith that sees the ring of light February 22, 1859. A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE. TO J. F. CLARKE. WHO is the shepherd sent to lead, Through pastures green, the Master's sheep? What guileless" Israelite indeed " The folded flock may watch and keep? He who with manliest spirit joins The heart of gentlest human mould, True to all Truth the world denies, Not tongue-tied for its gilded sin; Not always right in all men's eyes, But faithful to the light within ; Who asks no meed of earthly fame, Who knows no earthly master's call, Who hopes for man, through guilt and shame, Still answering, "God is over all; Who makes another's grief his own, Whose smile lends joy a double cheer; Where lives the saint, if such be known? such an one is here! Speak softly, O faithful shepherd! thou hast borne To thee our fragrant love we bring, What though our faltering accents fail, Our captives know their message well, Our words unbreathed their lips exhale, And sigh more love than ours can tell. April 4, 1860. THE GRAY CHIEF. FOR THE MEETING OF THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY, 1859. 'TIS sweet to fight our battles o'er, And crown with honest praise The gray old chief, who strikes no more The blow of better days. Before the true and trusted sage With willing hearts we bend, When years have touched with hallowing age Our Master, Guide, and Friend. For all his manhood's labor past, His age is honored to the last, Though strength and will have died. |