Page:Poems - Southey (1799) volume 2.djvu/244

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The countrymen who on their way to churchWere leaning o'er the bridge, loitering to hear The hell's last summons, and in idleness Watching the stream below, would all look up When she pass'd by. And her old Mother, Charles! When I have heard some erring infidel Speak of our faith as of a gloomy creed, Inspiring fear and boding wretchedness, Her figure has recurr'd; for she did love The sabbath-day, and many a time has cross'd These fields in rain and thro' the winter snows, When I, a graceless boy, wishing myself By the fire-side, have wondered why she came Who might hare sate at home.One only care Hung on her aged spirit. For herself, Her path was plain before her, and the close Of her long journey near. But then her child Soon to be left alone in this bad world,— That was a thought that many a winter night
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