Page:The complete poems of Emily Bronte.djvu/299

Rh XII

DESPONDENCY

gone backward in the work,

The labour has not sped,

Drowsy and dark my spirit lies,

Heavy and dull as lead.

How can I rouse my sinking soul

From such a lethargy?

How can I break these iron chains,

And set my spirit free?

There have been times when I have mourned,

In anguish o'er the past;

And raised my suppliant hands on high,

While tears fell thick and fast.

And prayed to have my sins forgiven,

With such a fervent zeal,

An earnest grief—a strong desire

That now I cannot feel!

And vowed to trample on my sins,

And called on Heaven to aid

My spirit in her firm resolves

And hear the vows I made.