Page:Landon in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book 1838.pdf/5

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PRAYER on her lips—yet, while the maiden prayeth, A human sorrow deepens in her eyes; For e’en the very words of prayer she sayeth, A sad and lingering memory supplies.

She leans beside the vault where sleeps her mother, The tablet has her name upon the wall— Her only parent, for she knew no other; In losing whom, the orphan lost her all.

Young, very young, she is, but wholly vanished Youth’s morning colours from her cheek are gone; All gayer and all careless thoughts are banished By the perpetual presence of but one.

And yet that sweet face is not all of sorrow, It wears a softer and a higher mood; And seemeth from the world within to borrow A holy and a constant fortitude.

Early with every sabbath-morn returning, You hear her light step up the chancel come, She looketh all the week with tender yearning To that old church which is to her a home.