Bertha grew up to noble womanhood
Full of the light of smiles, and in her eyes,
As sweet as spring flowers in their solitude,
Grew into bud and bloom her sympathies.
Then love came knocking at her gentle heart,
And gave a sweeter colour to her cheek,
While far within new thoughts began to start
Whose whispers made her smile but never speak.
For Bertha had this task her life before—
To cheer her poor blind mother, and to guide
Her failing footsteps round the cottage door,
And read God's word to her at eventide.
This in her purity she held above
All others in the bounds of human ties;
And in the light of this sweet task of love
Grew she up, noble, beautiful, and wise.
No stir was in her life—the happy days,
Like great white clouds within a summer sky,
Crept slowly on, and left continual praise
In her sweet heart, and peace that could not die.
And still at all the task she held so dear,
And in the splendour of her filial choice,
She seem'd an angel sent from heaven to cheer
Her mother with the music of her voice.
Ah me! what melody lay in its tone,
When, in the quiet of the twilight dim,
She sang, her mother's hand within her own,
The simple worship of their evening hymn.
Oft have I paused to hear its tender sounds,
Awe-struck, as when within some pure, fair breast
A spirit song, escaping heavenly bounds,
Creeps, hushing all the soul to perfect rest.
Thus have I stood in silent ecstasy,
With all my daily rougher life away,
And in my heart the wish to bend my knee,
When Bertha bow'd her golden head to pray.
But when she knelt in all her radiant youth,
Pure as her sister angels far above,
My heart found its own worship in the truth,
And reverence for all her trust and love.
So, Bertha, knowing it not, with quiet will
Works in this life of mine, and with sweet tone
Speaks in my heart's own hours of calm, and still
My spirit trembles to be like her own.
Thanks, Bertha, for this better life in me,
Thanks for this reverence for all good below,
Thanks for thy yearning love and purity
That stamps God's mission on thy noble brow.