Page:The Galaxy, Volume 6.djvu/534

500 Alas! when hearts are sore with wounds like these,
 * When souls thus deeply smitten pine and languish,

But slowly, slowly e'en such balm brings ease,
 * It must be long ere peace can conquer anguish.

Often, when sunrise chased the dark away—
 * "How soon," she thought, "night's gloom is dissipated,

Such sudden joy might dawn for me to-day!
 * O, God! it might be!" and she hoped and waited.

Often, when westward stooped the weary sun,
 * She knelt in prayer to soothe her heart's dull aching,

Sobbing, "If this must last, Thy will be done,"
 * Yet with that "if" the torturing hope awaking.

At length she said, "This love can never die,
 * Yet it is all in vain—I know it, feel it!

Dead lies the hope which once was ecstasy.
 * Here is its tomb—I close the door and seal it."

But who can forge a bar to prison hope?
 * Scarce had she turned away, her sad heart cheating,

When with a thrill she heard that portal ope.
 * That tireless voice "It might be!" still repeating.

At last came calmer days, in which she said,
 * "That woe is past; my heart hath ceased its aching.

I say no more 'It might be!' Pain is dead.
 * And surely now that hope is past awaking!"

And where was he whose treachery had been
 * Like earthquake shock, this desolation bringing?

Ah, it was easy maiden love to win.
 * And even now his marriage bells were ringing.

And when their echo reached her, moan nor wail
 * Escaped her, in her darkened chamber lying.

Silent she lay, and faint, and deathly pale:
 * Her sisters looked, and whispered, "She is dying!"

But no, it was not she, but hope, that died;
 * For she arose to tread life's path of duty.

Strong to console the weary and the tried,
 * And ripening heavenward, with a saintly beauty.

For when the star of earthly hope had set.
 * Fair in her heart arose the heavenly dawning.

She looked like one who in her night had met
 * Christ and his angels, bringing light of morning.