Page:The Galaxy, Volume 6.djvu/534

Alas! when hearts are sore with wounds like these,
When souls thus deeply smitten pine and languish,
But slowly, slowly e'en such balm brings ease,
It must be long ere peace can conquer anguish.

Often, when sunrise chased the dark away—
"How soon," she thought, "night's gloom is dissipated,
Such sudden joy might dawn for me to-day!
O, God! it might be!" and she hoped and waited.

Often, when westward stooped the weary sun,
She knelt in prayer to soothe her heart's dull aching,
Sobbing, "If this must last, Thy will be done,"
Yet with that "if" the torturing hope awaking.

At length she said, "This love can never die,
Yet it is all in vain—I know it, feel it!
Dead lies the hope which once was ecstasy.
Here is its tomb—I close the door and seal it."

But who can forge a bar to prison hope?
Scarce had she turned away, her sad heart cheating,
When with a thrill she heard that portal ope.
That tireless voice "It might be!" still repeating.

At last came calmer days, in which she said,
"That woe is past; my heart hath ceased its aching.
I say no more 'It might be!' Pain is dead.
And surely now that hope is past awaking!"

And where was he whose treachery had been
Like earthquake shock, this desolation bringing?
Ah, it was easy maiden love to win.
And even now his marriage bells were ringing.

And when their echo reached her, moan nor wail
Escaped her, in her darkened chamber lying.
Silent she lay, and faint, and deathly pale:
Her sisters looked, and whispered, "She is dying!"

But no, it was not she, but hope, that died;
For she arose to tread life's path of duty.
Strong to console the weary and the tried,
And ripening heavenward, with a saintly beauty.

For when the star of earthly hope had set.
Fair in her heart arose the heavenly dawning.
She looked like one who in her night had met
Christ and his angels, bringing light of morning.

Mary E. Atkinson.