Page:Landon in Pictorial Album.pdf/20

    Vainly did her mother chide her
With a chiding born of fear,
As she saw her pale girl drooping
For the sake of one too dear.
With a meek and sweet obedience
From her lover could she part;
But it cost the bitter struggle
Of a young and broken heart.

    Every day her mother saw her
With a darker, sadder eye;
For the sake of that sweet mother
Did she struggle not to die:
But the soft low voice grew weaker,
And the step more faint and slow;
Heavily the languid eyelash
Veiled the large bright eyes below.

    Stately were the kindred mourners
By the maiden's early tomb;
Tears were mingled with the shadows
Of the warrior's bending plume.
Soon the solemn funeral pageant
Left the maiden to her sleep:
One alone came back each twilight,—
'Twas the mother came, to weep!