COLD was the night wind, drifting fast the snows fell, Wide were the downs and shelterless and naked, When a poor wanderer struggled on her journey Weary and way-sore. Drear were the downs, more dreary her reflections; Cold was the night wind, colder was her bosom! She had no home, the world was all before her, She had no shelter. Fast o'er the bleak heath rattling drove a chariot, 'Pity me!' feebly cried the poor night-wanderer. 'Pity me, strangers! lest with cold and hunger Here I should perish. 'Once I had friends,—but they have all forsook me! Once I had parents,—they are now in heaven! I had a home once—I had once a husband— Pity me, strangers! 'I had a home once—I had once a husband— I am a widow poor and broken-hearted!' Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining, On drove the chariot. On the cold snows she laid her down to rest her; She heard a horseman, 'pity me!' she groaned out; Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining, On went the horseman. Worn out with anguish, toil and cold and hunger, Down sunk the wanderer, sleep had seized her senses; There did the traveller find her in the morning, God had released her. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PICKET-GUARD [NOVEMBER, 1861] by ETHEL LYNN BEERS THIRD BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 26. FIRST LOVE by THOMAS CAMPION THE BALLAD OF THE DARK LADIE; A FRAGMENT by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE CINQUAIN: AMAZE by ADELAIDE CRAPSEY BRAID CLAITH by ROBERT FERGUSSON GOD'S WORLD by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: ANTARA by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |