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Three hours ; or, the vigil of love : and other poems

Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell (1788-1879)

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[dedication]
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[PART I.]
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THREE HOURS; OR, THE VIGIL OF LOVE.
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FIRST HOUR.
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SECOND HOUR.
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THIRD HOUR.
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PART II. POEMS.
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PART III.
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[PART IV.] THE MISSISSIPPI, AND OTHER POEMS.

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13.

Then marvel not, while thus was brought
Tales long believed, to her lone thought,
The Lady's heart was faint with fear—
That twice she thought the fiend was near,
And pressed so close he shook her chair—
She started—looked—and nothing there!
And twice she seemed to hear a sigh
As when the soul and body part,—
And then a chilling breath stole by
That checked the pulses of her heart,
And froze the current of her blood—
While on her brow the cold pearls stood.
—How could she gain the strength and power
To bear her through this long, lone Hour?
She cast her burden on the Lord;
She trusted and believed the Word:
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The Bible in her hand she kept,
And watched her infant as he slept;
“And oh! my son,” she firmly said,
“Never shall such tales of dread
Be told to you as I have heard,—
And never shall your soul be stirred,
While faith is warm, and reason slow,
With scenes of fear and thoughts of wo;—
I will teach you God is love,
And then such blesséd hopes instil,
That, through life, your joy 't will prove
To read His word, and do His will.”
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