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"Ave, Lord and Holy Virgin,
I beseech you, hear my prayer,
Hark to one despairing, calling,
Groping vainly in the air.
I beseech you, hear my prayer,
Hark to one despairing, calling,
Groping vainly in the air.
"Three years in this convent's shelter,
I have tried to do my part;
You who know that which is needful,
Send contentment to my heart."
I have tried to do my part;
You who know that which is needful,
Send contentment to my heart."
All at once through the fitful darkness
Glowed a softening golden light—
Leonora gazed bewildered—
Brighter grew it, and more bright.
Glowed a softening golden light—
Leonora gazed bewildered—
Brighter grew it, and more bright.
Till at last within the brightness
She beheld the wondrous sight
Of an angel gazing at her,
Clad in robes of purest white.
She beheld the wondrous sight
Of an angel gazing at her,
Clad in robes of purest white.
Gazing lovingly upon her,
Hands outstretched as though to calm,
And the smile upon his features
Was to her sore heart as balm.
Hands outstretched as though to calm,
And the smile upon his features
Was to her sore heart as balm.
"Leonora, lift thy head up,
Thy prayers are heard at Heaven's throne,
And the seeds of peace forever
In thy heart thy tears have sown."
Thy prayers are heard at Heaven's throne,
And the seeds of peace forever
In thy heart thy tears have sown."
With a look of infinite beauty,
Bent he toward the adoring nun,
Pressed a kiss upon her forehead,
Then she knew his work was done.
Bent he toward the adoring nun,
Pressed a kiss upon her forehead,
Then she knew his work was done.
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