 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
12
A MORNING PRAYER ON THE MARKET-BOAT
LUCERNE
They sat sun-tanned and marred with care and moil,
And sorrow sat there with them in the shade;
A little calm the world could not invade—
A little rest from weariness and toil—
These were the gifts for which they plied their coil
Of beads; and, while the younger daughter said
The morning office, low responses made,
And prayed that Mary would the tempter foil.
And sorrow sat there with them in the shade;
A little calm the world could not invade—
A little rest from weariness and toil—
These were the gifts for which they plied their coil
Of beads; and, while the younger daughter said
The morning office, low responses made,
And prayed that Mary would the tempter foil.
There while they prayed, the shepherd, muttering low,
Prayed with them, though his eyes were on the hill,
And she, who bore her fruit to market, crossed
Her breast, but thought what grapes to-day should cost;
Yet none the less their faces seemed to show
They felt the love of Heaven was round them still.
Prayed with them, though his eyes were on the hill,
And she, who bore her fruit to market, crossed
Her breast, but thought what grapes to-day should cost;
Yet none the less their faces seemed to show
They felt the love of Heaven was round them still.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |