Page:Cheskian Anthology.pdf/141

 a letter to the maid,

And sent a ring—"The ring is thine;

So give me, sweet, thy love," I said,

"And leave thy father's house for mine."

letter reach'd the maid, she ran,

And placed it in her father's hand:

"Read, O my father! if thou can,

And make thy daughter understand."

father read it—not a word

He said—but sigh'd—as he arose—

"O Lord of mercy! righteous Lord!"

What heavy: heavy sighs were those.

" golden father! tell me why

Such sighs—such sadness—never pain

Heav'd from the breast a heavier sigh—

What did that wretched sheet contain?"