Poems (Hoffman)/To the Lady at the Window
TO THE LADY AT THE WINDOW.
Kneeling at her window,Solemn eyes upliftedTo blue skies, where sunbeamsThrough soft clouds are sifted.
Two hands clasped together,Mute lips sweet and pleading;Looking in the future,Life's great problem reading.
Looking in the future,With a silent yearning;Little in the distanceAre thine eyes discerning.
No faint answer cometh,From the deep blue zenith,To thy heart's deep questionWhat thy future meaneth.
Lady, like an angel'sIs thine upturned face;Thou hast surely wanderedFrom thy natal place.
Lost thy way and strayingFrom the pearly portals;The way back forgetting,Cast thy lot with mortals.
Well mayst thou be kneeling,With thine eyes uplifted;To a troubled oceanHath thy life-barque drifted.
Midst life's earliest promise,Twineth sorrow's omen;Thou hast taken up the new,Untried lot of woman.
Looking in the future,Lady, may the yearsBring thee hopes to triumphOver all thy fears.
But should they deny theeThy life's happiness,Prove thine angel mission,Other lives to bless.
Trust no smiling fortune,Fear no frowning fate;While the present calleth,Let the future wait.
Now a still voice whispers:"Cast on Me thy care";Kneeling at thy windowLift thine eyes in prayer.