Page:Sibylline Leaves (Coleridge).djvu/244

 'Twas a drizzly time—no ice, no snow!
 * And on the few fine days

She stirr'd not out, lest she might meet
 * Her mother in the ways.

But Ellen, spite of miry ways
 * And weather dark and dreary,

Trudg'd every day to Edward's house,
 * And made them all more cheary.

Oh! Ellen was a faithful Friend,
 * More dear than any Sister!

As cheerful too as singing lark; And she ne'er left them till 'twas dark,
 * And then they always miss'd her.

And now Ash-Wednesday came—that day
 * But few to Church repair:

For on that day you know we read
 * The Commination prayer.

Our late old Vicar, a kind man,
 * Once, Sir! he said to me,

He wish'd that service was clean out
 * Of our good Liturgy.