THE YOUNG BRIDE
HE told her all; he open'd to her view
The blackened pages of his dark career.
She shed no tear, but from her heart the dew
Of Youth was gone, and left it dried and sere.
The blackened pages of his dark career.
She shed no tear, but from her heart the dew
Of Youth was gone, and left it dried and sere.
The blinding scales from off her eyelids fell.
She saw him as he was, crime-stained within,
Yet still unchanged to him she loved so well,
She prayed to God to cleanse his soul from Sin.
She saw him as he was, crime-stained within,
Yet still unchanged to him she loved so well,
She prayed to God to cleanse his soul from Sin.
God granted her prayer, but at the cost
Of her young life, just budding in its Spring.
Gladly she laid it down for him, the lost,
To gain redemption from th' Eternal King.
Of her young life, just budding in its Spring.
Gladly she laid it down for him, the lost,
To gain redemption from th' Eternal King.
She lay upon her deathbed, and at last
The stubborn heart was touched, he bowed his head,
A Prayer, the first to God! his pale lips passed.
She, smiling, heard, with joy her spirit fled.
The stubborn heart was touched, he bowed his head,
A Prayer, the first to God! his pale lips passed.
She, smiling, heard, with joy her spirit fled.