The Soldier’s Widow learned with honest pain 550
  And homefelt force of sympathy sincere,
  Why thus that worn-out wretch must there sustain
  The jolting road and morning air severe. 
  The wain pursued its way; and following near
  In pure compassion she her steps retraced 555
  Far as the cottage.  “A sad sight is here,”
  She cried aloud; and forth ran out in haste
  The friends whom she had left but a few minutes past.

LXIII

  While to the door with eager speed they ran,
  From her bare straw the Woman half upraised 560
  Her bony visage—­gaunt and deadly wan;
  No pity asking, on the group she gazed
  With a dim eye, distracted and amazed;
  Then sank upon her straw with feeble moan. 
  Fervently cried the housewife—­“God be praised, 565
  I have a house that I can call my own;
  Nor shall she perish there, untended and alone!”

LXIV

  So in they bear her to the chimney seat,
  And busily, though yet with fear, untie
  Her garments, and, to warm her icy feet 570
  And chafe her temples, careful hands apply. 
  Nature reviving, with a deep-drawn sigh
  She strove, and not in vain, her head to rear;
  Then said—­“I thank you all; if I must die,
  The God in heaven my prayers for you will hear; 575
  Till now I did not think my end had been so near.

LXV

  “Barred every comfort labour could procure,
  Suffering what no endurance could assuage,
  I was compelled to seek my father’s door,
  Though loth to be a burthen on his age. 580
  But sickness stopped me in an early stage
  Of my sad journey; and within the wain
  They placed me—­there to end life’s pilgrimage,
  Unless beneath your roof I may remain: 
  For I shall never see my father’s door again. 585

LXVI

  “My life, Heaven knows, hath long been burthensome;
  But, if I have not meekly suffered, meek
  May my end be!  Soon will this voice be dumb: 
  Should child of mine e’er wander hither, speak
  Of me, say that the worm is on my cheek.—­ 590
  Torn from our hut, that stood beside the sea
  Near Portland lighthouse in a lonesome creek,
  My husband served in sad captivity
  On shipboard, bound till peace or death should set him free.

LXVII