  I.It was the hour for evening prayer—there came a goodly throng Within that dim cathedral church to join the vesper song; And she was there amid the crowd, and on the altar stair, As if she were alone she knelt in the depth of her despair. She did not heed the many eyes upon her beauty turned; One vision still oppressed her soul, one grief within her burned. The tones of holy minstrelsy, the solemn anthem strain, They were like voices in a dream—as meaningless and vain. Strange tumult reigned within her soul—there came a gush of tears, Deep, wild, as if it bore along the passion-flood of years; And 'Mary! Mary!' was her prayer, and 'Mary!' still she prays, 'O give me back the love of old—the light of other days!' A deeper gloom o'erspread the aisles—the altar-lamp grew dim, And fainter still the echoes came from the dying vesper hymn; She listened for an answering voice—but no response was given: The marble steps were cold as death, and silence was in heaven. II.Within that dim cathedral church once more she stood alone, When from her cheek, and brow, and eye, youth's loveliness had flown; She wandered down the gloomy aisles—no worshippers were there; And on the altar steps she knelt in the depth of her despair. The sunset's parting gleam came down to kiss the pictured pane; Upon the marble stone it flung full many a crimson stain. There was a hush within the air—no holy chant arose To fill the aisles with joy, and break the spirit-like repose. A broken reed, she lowly bent—life's passion dream was o'er, And there were tears—repentant tears—not like to those of yore; And murmurs of a nobler faith fixed on the sacred shrine, 'O human love so false, so vain! O love that is divine!' Fair shone the symbol of the cross—the altar-lamp grew bright; There came a gleam like trembling stars athwart her spirit's night; She listened for an answering voice—the peace of God was given: The marble steps were cold as death, but gladness was in heaven! Printed and Published by W. and R. Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh. Also sold by W. S. Orr, Amen Corner, London; D. N. Chambers, 55 West Nile Street, Glasgow; and J. M'Glashan, 50 Upper Sackville Street, Dublin.—Advertisements for Monthly Parts are requested to be sent to Maxwell & Co., 31 Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street, London, to whom all applications respecting their insertion must be made. |
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