down, Looks at herself, and cannot rest. The other, blind, within her little room, Has neither crown nor flower's perfume; But in their stead for something gropes apart, That in a drawer's recess doth lie, And, 'neath her bodice of bright scarlet dye, Convulsive clasps it to her heart. The one, fantastic, light as air, 'Mid kisses ringing, And joyous singing, Forgets to say her morning prayer! The other, with cold drops upon her brow, Joins her two hands, and kneels upon the floor, And whispers, as her brother opes the door, "O God! forgive me now!" And then the orphan, young and Hearest not the osprey from the belfry cry? The hideous bird, that brings ill luck, we know ! Dost thou remember when our father said, The night we watched beside his bed, She could no more, -the blind girl, | Ere on the finger of the bride he leaves weak and weary! A voice seemed crying from that grave so dreary, ter?" it, He must pronounce one word at least! "What wouldst thou do, my daugh- 'Tis spoken; and sudden at the groomsand she started, man's side And quick recoiled, aghast, faint-""T is he!" a well-known voice has hearted; Mute as an idiot, sad as yester-morning, cried. And while the wedding guests all hold their breath, Opes the confessional, and the blind girl, see! "Baptiste," she said, "since thou hast wished my death, As holy water be my blood for thee!" And calmly in the air a knife suspended! Doubtless her guardian angel near attended, No, 66 For anguish did its work so well, That, ere the fatal stroke descended, Lifeless she fell ! At eve, instead of bridal verse, 'The road should mourn and be veiled in gloom, So fair a corpse shall leave its home! Should mourn and should weep, ah, well-away! So fair a corpse shall pass to-day!" A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Thinks only of the beldame's words of FROM THE NOEI BOURGUIGNON DE GUI warning. And Angela thinks of her cross, I wis; To be a bride is all! The pretty lisper Feels her heart swell to hear all round her whisper, "How beautiful! how beautiful she is!" But she must calm that giddy head, For already the Mass is said; At the holy table stands the priest; The wedding ring is blessed; Baptiste receives it; BARÔZAI. I HEAR along our street Pass the minstrel throngs; Hark! they play so sweet, On their hautboys, Christmas songs! Let us by the fire Ever higher Sing them till the night expire! In December ring Every day the chimes; Loud the gleemen sing In the streets their merry rhymes. |