258
MARY.
By an unruly horse; the loaded wain
Passed over him before a soul could help,
And he was brought back to the farm for dead,
Senseless and crushed—oh! what it was for me
To meet him for the first time thus! for me
Who now might stay beside him with the rest
(So is there comfort in the saddest things)
Nor fear to anger him; I kept my place
Beside him day and night, and when my sisters
Sank, worn and wearied past their strength, in me
Something there was that could not tire nor rest,
Which used to make me wonder at myself;
There was one thought upon my mind that bore me
Through all, a wish so like a fear, it trembled,
Because I dared not turn it to a prayer;
I had no right to weary Heaven for favours,
Too happy if I might but win its pardon;
And yet although I asked it not, I trusted—
Through goodness giving more than we dare ask—
My father's soul might come to him again
Before he died, to bless and to forgive me.
Trav. And it was granted you?
Mary.Weeks passed, and then
My father's mind returned as clear as ever,
But life was shattered in him, and we saw
His days would not be many for this world;
He spoke unto me kindly, and seemed pleased
To have me near him (I that always knew
His ways so well), yet never named the past,
Or mentioned William,—yet still I hoped;
Passed over him before a soul could help,
And he was brought back to the farm for dead,
Senseless and crushed—oh! what it was for me
To meet him for the first time thus! for me
Who now might stay beside him with the rest
(So is there comfort in the saddest things)
Nor fear to anger him; I kept my place
Beside him day and night, and when my sisters
Sank, worn and wearied past their strength, in me
Something there was that could not tire nor rest,
Which used to make me wonder at myself;
There was one thought upon my mind that bore me
Through all, a wish so like a fear, it trembled,
Because I dared not turn it to a prayer;
I had no right to weary Heaven for favours,
Too happy if I might but win its pardon;
And yet although I asked it not, I trusted—
Through goodness giving more than we dare ask—
My father's soul might come to him again
Before he died, to bless and to forgive me.
Trav. And it was granted you?
Mary.Weeks passed, and then
My father's mind returned as clear as ever,
But life was shattered in him, and we saw
His days would not be many for this world;
He spoke unto me kindly, and seemed pleased
To have me near him (I that always knew
His ways so well), yet never named the past,
Or mentioned William,—yet still I hoped;
