I DREAMED that she lay dying --
And none had power to save;
Suns rose, suns set -- methought I stood
Above my mother's grave.
No heart wsa now with mine in life,
Like hers beneath the clay;
No loving heart! and yet no tear
Adown my cheek found way.
An icy weight was at my breast --
I gasped, convulsed, for breath;
The one I could worst spare from earth
Lay in the arms of Death.
Gone! gone! I madly raised my eyes,
And cursed God high in Heaven;
Cursed all things! for the Fiend that hour
Had will to tempt me given.
Then at my words grew black the skies --
God's heavens seemed shut from me!
From the worn spirit's depths went forth
A cry of agony.
"Jessie, dear Jessie," said a voice --
Ah! in what tones of bliss!
"Wake, dearest! 'tis a fearful dream!"
I turned to sister's kiss.
Then stealing to my mother's couch,
I watched as she calmly slept,
Until the morning stars looked on
The quiet tears I wept.
O God! if thou decree that first
Her heavenly crown be won,
Give me to bray, with blessed trust,
Thy holy will be done!