y leaf, and twig, and flower, and bravely smiles and keeps green
when frozen to the very heart, knowing that the winter is but for a
season, and that the sunshine and bird singings shall return, and the
last year's dry flower stalk give place to the risen, glorified flower.

POEMS.

THE CHARMER.

"_Socrates._--'However, you and Simmias appear to me as if you
wished to sift this subject more thoroughly, and to be afraid, like
children, lest, on the soul's departure from the body, winds should
blow it away.'

* * * * *

"Upon this Cebes said, 'Endeavor to teach us better, Socrates. * *
* Perhaps there is a childish spirit in our breast, that has such a
dread. Let us endeavor to persuade him not to be afraid of death,
as of hobgoblins.'

"'But you must _charm_ him every day,' said Socrates, 'until you
have quieted his fears.'

"'But whence, O Socrates,' he said, 'can we procure a skilful
charmer for such a case, now you are about to leave us.'

"'Greece is wide, Cebes,' he replied: 'and in it surely there are
skilful men, and there are also many barbarous nations, all of
which you should search, seeking such a charmer, sparing neither
money nor toil, as there is nothing on which you can more
reasonably spend your money.'"--(_Last conversation of Socrates
with his disciples, as narrated by Plato in the Phaedo._)

* * * * *

"We need that Charmer, for our hearts are sore
With longings for the things that may not be;
Faint for the friends that shall return no more;
Dark with distrust, or wrung with agony.

"What is this life? and what to us is death?
Whence came we? whither go? and where are those
Who, in a moment stricken from our side,
Passed to that land of shadow and repose?

"And are they all dust? and dust must we become?
Or are they living in some unknown clime?
Shall we regain them in that far-off home,
And live anew beyond the waves of time?

"O man divine! on thee our souls have hung;
Thou wert our teacher in these questions high;
But, ah, this day divides thee from our side,
And veils in dust thy kindly-guiding eye.

"Where is that Charmer whom thou bidst us seek?
On what far shores may his sweet voice be heard?
When shall these questi