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| THE SHADOWS lay along Broadway,— | |
| ’T was near the twilight tide,— | |
| And slowly there a lady fair | |
| Was walking in her pride. | |
| Alone walked she; but, viewlessly, | 5 |
| Walked spirits at her side. | |
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| Peace charmed the street beneath her feet, | |
| And Honor charmed the air, | |
| And all astir looked kind on her, | |
| And called her good as fair; | 10 |
| For all God ever gave to her | |
| She kept with chary care. | |
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| She kept with care her beauties rare | |
| From lovers warm and true; | |
| For her heart was cold to all but gold, | 15 |
| And the rich came not to woo: | |
| But honored well are charms to sell, | |
| If priests the selling do. | |
| |
| Now walking there was one more fair,— | |
| A slight girl, lily-pale; | 20 |
| And she had unseen company | |
| To make the spirit quail: | |
| ’Twixt Want and Scorn she walked forlorn, | |
| And nothing could avail. | |
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| No mercy now can clear her brow | 25 |
| For this world’s peace to pray; | |
| For, as love’s wild prayer dissolved in air, | |
| Her woman’s heart gave way! | |
| But the sin forgiven by Christ in heaven, | |
| By man is cursed alway. | 30 |
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