Page:Poems Brown.djvu/48

There was a time—though long ago—
When she had thought he loved her so;
That love, ah! it has since grown cold,—
That loving heart has now grown old.

There was a time—but, O! 'tis past,
When in his arms he fondly clasped
Her gentle, slender, girlish form,
And vowed to shield it from all storm.

What careless words are often told!
What unkind acts the past enfold!
What tearful sights, what broken hearts!
E'en from their memory we often smart.

She stands, and leans on the window-pane
Her aching head, till each blue vein
Seems ready to burst. Can this be true?
O, God! our Father! what shall she do?

Hark, to a step! She shuddered and pressed
Her trembling child to her throbbing breast;
But now all is past! her trials o'er,
That gentle heart will grieve no more.