Page:Dora Sigerson Shorter - New Poems.djvu/40



the valley of Klausen went By a little stream, and heard it sigh, Down by its bed I crouched and bent A listening ear as it hurried by.

"Lord, have mercy," it murmured low, "Sainted Mother, oh, pray for me!" I laid my hand in the water’s flow "Say, little stream, what your troubles be."

"Virgin Mary, for my soul pray, Lord, have pity," it sighed again, I through the valley did wend my way, Heard it singing the odd refrain.

The stream stole by, "O Christ, on me "Take mercy, Lord, a soul afraid." I looked around and there did see No thing to fear—a peasant maid.