Lines, To the memory of Maline A. D'Pallier, who was murdered by her husband, Alexander Lee, at San Francisco, July, 1859

Lines, To the memory of Maline A. D'Pallier, who was murdered by her husband, Alexander Lee, at San Francisco, July, 1859

I miss thee, dear daughter—thy image is still

Most deeply impressed on my heart;

A remembrance of Lee and his murderous will,

From my worn mind can never depart.

Thou wert torn from my side when I treasured thee most,

When my reason could measure thy worth—

When I knew but too well that the daughter I lost

Could ne'er be replaced upon earth.

I miss thee, dear daughter, in circles of joy,

When awaking with rapturous zest;

How cruel the hand that could tend to destroy

The bright hopes that arose in my breast.

Som melody sweet may be floating around—

'Tis no ballad of music to me;

Sweet strains may be played, but I shrink from the sound,

For my daughter was murdered by Lee.

I miss thee, dear daughter, in full health and bloom,

As I sink in the languor of pain;

Where, where is the hand that once pillowed my head,

And the ear that once heard me complain?

Other hands may support, gentle accents may fall,

For the fond, and the true are yet mine;

I've a blessing for each, I am grateful for all,

But whose can be soothing as thine?

I miss thee, dear daughter, by night and by day,

When I rest on my pillow to sleep;

Then I look on your two little ones, and I pray

That the Lord in His sight may them keep.

At the Mission I've lain thee, and Tinny by thy side,

When time has scarce wrinkled my brow;

There I've carefully placed thee with sorrow aside,

When grief to the ground makes me bow.

I miss thee, dear Maline—Oh! when do I not!—

Though it was but the wisdom of Heaven,

That the deepest shade fell on my sunniest spot,

When such ties of devotion were riven;

For when thou wert with me my soul was below—

I was chained to the earth I then trod—

My affections, my thoughts, were all earthbound but now

They have followd thy spirit to God!

Her Mother

1:23, p. 3

12.24.1859