"I'm dull and sad! indeed, indeed I know I have no reason! Perhaps I am not well in health, And 'tis a gloomy season."
'Twas a drizzly time--no ice, no snow! And on the few fine days She stirred not out, lest she might meet Her mother in the ways.
But Ellen, spite of miry ways And weather dark and dreary, Trudged every day to Edward's house, And made them all more cheery.
Oh! Ellen was a faithful friend, More dear than any sister! As cheerful too as singing lark; And she ne'er left them till 'twas dark, And then they always missed her.
And now Ash-Wednesday came-that day But few to church repair: For on that day you know we read The Commination prayer.
Our late old Vicar, a kind man, Once, Sir, he said to me, He wished that service was clean out Of our good Liturgy.
The mother walked into the church- To Ellen's seat she went: Though Ellen always kept her church All church-days during Lent.
And gentle Ellen welcomed her With courteous looks and mild: Thought she, "What if her heart should melt, And all be reconciled!"
The day was scarcely like a day-- The clouds were black outright: And many a night, with half a moon, I've seen the church more light.
The wind was wild; against the glass The rain did beat and bicker; The church-tower swinging over head, You scarce could hear the Vicar!
And then and there the mother knelt, And audibly she cried- "Oh! may a clinging curse consume This woman by my side!
"O hear me, hear me, Lord in Heaven, Although you take my life-- O curse this woman, at whose house Young Edward woo'd his wife.
"By night and day, in bed and bower, O let her cursed be!!! " So having prayed, steady and slow, She rose up from her knee! And left the church, nor e'er again The church-door entered she.
I saw poor Ellen kneeling still, So pale! I guessed not why: When she stood up, there plainly was A trouble in her eye.
And when the prayers were done, we all Came round and asked her why: Giddy she seemed, and sure, there was A trouble in her eye.
But ere she from the church-door stepped She smiled and told us why: "It was a wicked woman's curse," Quoth she, "and what care I?"
She smiled, and smiled, and passed it off Ere from the door she stept-- But all agree it would have been Much better had she wept.