the souvenir.
81
Timidly her course was taken,
And she entered, fraught with fear,
That bright path so long forsaken—
Now a thousand times more dear.
And she entered, fraught with fear,
That bright path so long forsaken—
Now a thousand times more dear.
Presently a Christian leader,
Of professions warm and high,
In the cause a giant cedar,
Stern in virtue, passed her by,
Of professions warm and high,
In the cause a giant cedar,
Stern in virtue, passed her by,
Who for children of transgression
Her most rigid frowns reserved;
For from pathway of discretion
Right or left she never swerv'd.
Her most rigid frowns reserved;
For from pathway of discretion
Right or left she never swerv'd.
So she passed, her garments clutching,
As the frown upon her brow
Plainly said, "Aloof from touching—
I am holier than thou!"
As the frown upon her brow
Plainly said, "Aloof from touching—
I am holier than thou!"
The returned, at this repulsion,
Would have instantly retired;
In her feelings wild revulsion,
Better thoughts had nigh expired.
Would have instantly retired;
In her feelings wild revulsion,
Better thoughts had nigh expired.
Quickly was her soul assuming
Tints too dark to contemplate;
All her life's sad future dooming
To rebellion, guilt, and hate.
Tints too dark to contemplate;
All her life's sad future dooming
To rebellion, guilt, and hate.
