6. So strong a hold hath life upon the soul, Content in bondage dwells and utter night. 7. For now her hour is come: a girl is born, From neighbouring trees which bent beneath their weight, A full supply of fruitage now mature, So in that time of need their sustenance was sure. 8. Nor then alone, but alway did the Eye Of Mercy look upon that lonely bower. Days past,and weeks; and months and years went by, And never evil thing the while had power To enter there. The boy in sun and shower Rejoicing in his strength to youthhed grew; And Mooma, that beloved girl, a dower Of gentleness from bounteous nature drew, With all that should the heart of womankind imbue. 9. The tears which o'er her infancy were shed Would sometimes make a tender smile arise, Like sunshine opening thro' a shower in vernal skies. 10. No looks but those of tenderness were found Possess'd, by no example here defiled; From envious passions free, exempt from fear, Unknowing of all ill, amid the wild Beloving and beloved she grew, a happy child. 11. Yea, where that solitary bower was placed, Though all unlike to Paradise the scene, (A wide circumference of woodlands waste:) Something of what in Eden might have been Was shadow'd there imperfectly, I ween, In this fair creature: safe from all offence, Expanding like a shelter'd plant serene, Evils that fret and stain being far from thence, Her heart in peace and joy retain'd its innocence. 12. At first the infant to Yeruti proved A cause of wonder and disturbing joy. A stronger tie than that of kindred moved His inmost being, as the happy boy Felt in his heart of hearts without alloy The sense of kind: a fellow creature she, In whom when now she ceased to be a toy For tender sport, his soul rejoiced to see Connatural powers expand, and growing sympathy. 13. For her he cull'd the fairest flowers, and sought Judge from their own mean hearts, and foully wrong mankind. 14. Three souls in whom no selfishness had place The evils which evoke the stronger being unknown. 15. What though at birth we bring with us the seed The children of the All Merciful; and ill O miserable lot of man if it were so! 16. Falsely and impiously teach they who thus In love redeem'd. From this authentic creed The heart's entire assent, for God is good. Hold firm this faith, and, in whatever need, Doubt not but thou wilt find thy soul endued With all-sufficing strength of heavenly fortitude! 17. By nature peccable and frail are we, Is not a field where tares and thorns alone And flourisheth, and bringeth forth abundant fruit. 18. Love, duty, generous feeling, tenderness, And these were Mooma's natural dower. Nor less Happier herein than if among mankind Their lot had fallen, ... oh, certes happier here! That all things tended still more close to bind Their earliest ties, and they from year to year Retain❜d a childish heart, fond, simple, and sincere. 19. They had no sad reflection to alloy The calm contentment of the passing day, Of time had reach'd her heart, and worn away, Upon that heart, a cause of secret care 20. Chance from the fellowship of human kind The unlikely thought, and cherish with delight |