Hester

WhenmaidenssuchasHesterdie

Theirplaceyemaynotwellsupply,

Thoughyeamongathousandtry

Withvainendeavour.

Amonthormorehathshebeendead,

YetcannotIbyforcebeled

Tothinkuponthewormybed

Andhertogether.

Aspringymotioninhergait,

Arisingstep,didindicate

Ofprideandjoynomonrate,

Thatflushdherspirit:

Iknownotbywhatnamebeside

Ishallitcall:iftwasnotpride,

Itwasajoytothatallied,

Shedidinherit.

HerparentsheldtheQuakerrule,

Whichdoththehumanfeelingcool;

ButshewastraindinNaturesschool;

Naturehadblesther.

Awakingeye,apryingmind;

Aheartthatstirs,ishardtobind;

Ahawkskeensightyecannotblind;

YecouldnotHester.

Mysprightlyneighbour!gonebefore

Tothatunknownandsilentshore,

Shallwenotmeet,asheretofore,

Somesummermorning;

Whenfromthycheerfuleyesaray

Hathstruckablissupontheday,

Ablissthatwouldnotgoaway,

Asweetforewarning?