Page:Tale of Paraguay - Southey.djvu/81

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Sometimes she had descended from above To visit her true votaries, and requite Such as had served her well. And for her love, These bearded men, forsaking all delight, With labour long and dangers infinite, Across the great blue waters came, and sought The Red Men here, to win them, if they might, From bloody ways, rejoiced to profit aught Even when with their own lives the benefit was bought.

For trusting in this heavenly Maiden's grace, It was for them a joyful thing to die, As men who went to have their happy place With her, and with that Holy Child, on high, In fields of bliss above the starry sky, In glory, at the Virgin Mother's feet: And all who kept their lessons faithfully An everlasting guerdon there would meet, When Death had led their souls to that celestial seat.