Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
III. AdversityUnseen Spirits
Nathaniel Parker Willis (18061867)T
’T was near the twilight-tide,
And slowly there a lady fair
Was walking in her pride.
Alone walked she; but, viewlessly,
Walked spirits at her side.
And Honor charmed the air;
And all astir looked kind on her,
And called her good as fair,—
For all God ever gave to her
She kept with chary care.
From lovers warm and true,
For her heart was cold to all but gold,
And the rich came not to woo,—
But honored well are charms to sell
If priests the selling do.
A slight girl, lily-pale;
And she had unseen company
To make the spirit quail,—
’Twixt Want and Scorn she walked forlorn,
And nothing could avail.
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!