The Two Maidens
One
came
with
light
and
laughing
air,
And
cheek
like
opening
blossom,-
Bright
gems
were
twined
amid
her
hair,
And
glittered
on
her
bosom,
And
pearls
and
costly
diamonds
deck
Her
round,
white
arms
and
lovely
neck.
Like
summer's
sky,
with
stars
bedight,
The
jewelled
robe
around
her,
And
dazzling
as
the
noontide
light
The
radiant
zone
that
bound
her,-
And
pride
and
joy
were
in
her
eye,
And
mortals
bowed
as
she
passed
by.
Another
came-o'er
her
sweet
face
A
pensive
shade
was
stealing;
Yet
there
no
grief
of
earth
we
trace-
But
the
heaven-hallowed
feeling
Which
mourns
the
heart
should
ever
stray
From
the
pure
fount
of
Truth
away.
Around
her
brow,
as
snow-drop
fair,
The
glossy
tresses
cluster,
Nor
pearl,
nor
ornament
was
there,
Save
the
meek
spirit's
lustre;-
And
faith
and
hope
beamed
in
her
eye,
And
angels
bowed
as
she
passed
by.
