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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SILENT SISTERS OF THE POOR by GEORGE HERBERT CLARKE

First Line: MEEKLY, WITH FOLDED HANDS AND PATIENT BROWS
Last Line: MEEKLY, WITH PATIENT BROWS AND FOLDED HANDS.
Subject(s): CHARITY; HUMANITY; NUNS; POVERTY; PHILANTHROPY;

@2M@1EEKLY, with folded hands and patient brows,
Come two from out the ivy-clustered door;
A cross is on the altar of their House,—
It hushed their voices while it heard their vows;
Ay me,—the Silent Sisters of the Poor!

The cross upon the altar is of gold,
And coldly gleams in the chill chapel air;—
Is it for this their bosoms are so cold,
Nor beat as they were wont to beat of old?—
Or is a wintry cross enfixéd @3there@1,

The sun is dimly drooping down the west;
The ancient House against its glory stands
Sombre and gaunt and dark; and darkly drest,
Two figures seem to fade within its breast,
Meekly, with patient brows and folded hands.



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