Countless beginnings, fair first parts,
Leap to the light, and shining flow;
All broken things, or toys or hearts,
Are mended where they go.Then down thy stream, with hope-filled sail,
Float faithful fearless on, loved friend;
'Tis God that has begun the tale
And does not mean to end.

_TO G. M. T_.

The sun is sinking in the west,
Long grow the shadows dim;
Have patience, sister, to be blest,
Wait patiently for Him.Thou knowest love, much love hast had,
Great things of love mayst tell,
Ought'st never to be very sad
For thou too hast lov'd well.His house thou know'st, who on the brink
Of death loved more than thou,
Loved more than thy great heart can think,
And just as then loves now--In that great house is one who waits
For thy slow-coming foot;
Glad is he with his angel-mates
Yet often listens mute,For he of all men loves thee best:
He haunts the heavenly clock;
Ah, he has long been up and drest
To open to thy knock!Fear not, doubt not because of those
On whom earth's keen winds blow;
God's love shames all our pitying woes,
Be ready thou to go.Forsaken dream not hearts which here
Bask in no sunny shine;
Each shall one coming day be dear
To love as good as thine.

_IN MEMORIUM_

_LADY CAROLINE CHARTERIS_.

The mountain-stream may humbly boast
For her the loud waves call;
The hamlet feeds the nation's host,
The home-farm feeds the hall;And unto earth heaven's Lord doth lend
The right, of high import,
The gladsome privilege to send
New courtiers to Love's court.Not strange to thee, O lady dear,
Life in that palace fair,
For thou while waiting with us here
Didst just as they do there!Thy heart still open to receive,
Open thy hand to give,
God had thee graced with more than leave
In heavenly state to live!And though thou art gone up so high
Thou art not gone so far
But that thy love to us comes nigh,
As starlight from a star.And ours must reach where'er thou art,
In far or near abode,
For God is of all love the heart,
And we are all in God.

The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes � Volume 1 by MacDonald, George, 1824-1905

_TO G. M. T_.

_IN MEMORIUM_

_LADY CAROLINE CHARTERIS_.

END OF VOL. I.