Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/29

Seven long years did she serve him well
Until the last day was done,
And all the souls that she had let in,
They clung to her one by one.

And all the souls that she had let through
They clung to her dress and hair,
Until the burden that she brought forth
Was heavy as she could bear.

The first who stopped her upon her way
Was an angel with sword aflame,
“The Lord has sent for your load,” he said,
“St. Michael it is my name.”

The woman drew back his gown of white,
And the cloven hoof did see.
“Oh, God, be with me to-night,” she cried,
“For bitter my sorrows be.

“I will not give it to you,” she wept,
Quick grasping her burden tight;
And all the souls that surrounded her
Clung closer in dire affright.

The next who stopped her upon her way
Was a maid all fair to see,
And “Sister, your load is great,” she said,
“So give it, I pray, to me.”

“The Virgin, I am, God sent me forth
That you to your love might go,”
The woman she saw the phantom's eyes
And paled at their fierce red glow:

“I will not give it to you,” said she,
And wept full many a tear.
And all the souls that her burden made
Cried out in desperate fear.