| |
| THE SHADOWS lay along Broadway, | |
| ’Twas near the twilight-tide— | |
| And slowly there a lady fair | |
| Was walking in her pride. | |
| Alone walk’d she; but, viewlessly, | 5 |
| Walked spirits at her side. | |
| |
| Peace charmed the street beneath her feet, | |
| And Honour charmed the air; | |
| And all astir looked kind on her, | |
| And call’d her good as fair— | 10 |
| For all God ever gave to her, | |
| She kept with chary care. | |
| |
| She kept with care her beauties rare | |
| From lovers warm and true— | |
| For her heart was cold to all but gold, | 15 |
| And the rich came not to woo— | |
| But honour’d well are charms to sell | |
| If priests the selling do. | |
| |
| Now walking there was one more fair— | |
| A slight girl, lily-pale; | 20 |
| And she had unseen company | |
| To make the spirit quail— | |
| ’Twixt Want and Scorn she walk’d forlorn, | |
| And nothing could avail. | |
| |
| No mercy now can clear her brow | 25 |
| For this world’s peace to pray; | |
| For, as love’s wild prayer dissolved in air, | |
| Her woman’s heart gave way!— | |
| But the sin forgiven by Christ in heaven | |
| By man is cursed alway! | 30 |
| |
