THE PARSON'S DAUGHTER
347
While the moon rose up and the stars looked down
On the silent streets of Windham town.
On the silent streets of Windham town.
But when the heralds of morning came,
Flushing the east with rosy flame,
With low of cattle and scurry of feet,
Driving his herd down the village street,
Young Manning heard from a low stone wall
A child's voice clearly yet softly call;
And saw in the gray dusk standing there
A little maiden with shining hair,
While crowding close to her tender side
Was a snow-white lamb to her apron tied.
Flushing the east with rosy flame,
With low of cattle and scurry of feet,
Driving his herd down the village street,
Young Manning heard from a low stone wall
A child's voice clearly yet softly call;
And saw in the gray dusk standing there
A little maiden with shining hair,
While crowding close to her tender side
Was a snow-white lamb to her apron tied.
"Oh, wait!" she cried, "for my lamb must go
To the children crying in want and woe.
It is all I have." And her tears fell fast
As she gave it one eager kiss—the last.
"The road will be long to its feet. I pray
Let your arms be its bed apart of the way;
And give it cool water and tender grass
Whenever a way-side brook you pass."
Then away she flew like a startled deer,
Nor waited the bleat of her lamb to hear.
To the children crying in want and woe.
It is all I have." And her tears fell fast
As she gave it one eager kiss—the last.
"The road will be long to its feet. I pray
Let your arms be its bed apart of the way;
And give it cool water and tender grass
Whenever a way-side brook you pass."
Then away she flew like a startled deer,
Nor waited the bleat of her lamb to hear.
Young Manning lifted his steel-blue eyes
One moment up to the morning skies;
Then, raising the lamb to his breast, he strode
Sturdily down the lengthening road.
"Now God be my helper," he cried, "and lead
Me safe with my charge to the souls in need!
Through fire and flood, through dearth and dole,
Though foes assail me and war-clouds roll,
To the city in want and woe that lies
I will bear this lamb as a sacrifice."
One moment up to the morning skies;
Then, raising the lamb to his breast, he strode
Sturdily down the lengthening road.
"Now God be my helper," he cried, "and lead
Me safe with my charge to the souls in need!
Through fire and flood, through dearth and dole,
Though foes assail me and war-clouds roll,
To the city in want and woe that lies
I will bear this lamb as a sacrifice."
