A SUMMER IDYL by Kate Lawrence

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 10, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 15.

A SUMMER IDYL.

By Kate Lawrence

A bird's nest hid in the clover— Daintily woven, soft and warm— The timothy grass, bending tenderly over, Watches by turns with the little house-mother, Keeping it safe from harm.

A home-nest under the willow, Warmed and lighted by mother love; Two golden heads on a downy pillow; One father sails o'er the raging billow, One looketh down from above.

God pity the little hen-sparrow, Who waiteth in vain for her mate! Why did he not stay the pitiless arrow? Oh! the heavens were wide and the mark was narrow; Careth God for a sparrow's fate?

Careth he for a soul's deep anguish, Though the woman's heart, like the sparrow's, bleed? Though the weeds of woe the widow weareth, And her babes on an aching bosom beareth, Careth he for the heart's sore need?

God careth; we know that he careth As though voice should speak from the heaven above; "Though he sleep beneath the foaming billow, 'Mid tangled sea-moss, on coral pillow, He liveth still in my heart of love!" —Kate Lawrence, in Christian at Work.