Poems (Southey)/Volume 1/The Widow
For works with similar titles, see The Widow.
The WIDOW.
SAPPHICS.
Cold was the night wind, drifting fast the snows fell,Wide were the downs and shelterless and naked,When a poor Wanderer struggled on her journeyWeary and way-sore.
Drear were the downs, more dreary her reflections;Cold was the night wind, colder was her bosom!She had no home, the world was all before her,She had no shelter.
Fast o'er the bleak heath rattling drove a chariot,"Pity me!" feebly cried the poor night wanderer."Pity me Strangers! lest with cold and hunger"Here I should perish.
"Once I had friends,—but they have all forsook me!"Once I had parents,—they are now in Heaven!"I had a home once—I had once a husband—"Pity me Strangers!
"I had a home once—I had once a husband—"I am a Widow poor and broken-hearted!"Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining,On drove the chariot.
On the cold snows she laid her down to rest her;She heard a horseman, "pity me!" she groan'd out;Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining,On went the horseman.
Worn out with anguish, toil and cold and hunger,Down sunk the Wanderer, sleep had seiz'd her senses;There, did the Traveller find her in the morning,God had releast her.1796.