Page:Dorothy Canfield--Hillsboro People.djvu/134

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

A SAINT'S HOURS


HER LAUDS
In the still cold before the sun
Her brothers and her sisters small
She woke, and washed and dressed each one.
 

PRIME
And through the morning hours all,
Singing above her broom, she stood
And swept the house from hall to hall.
 

TERCE
At noon she ran with tidings good
Across the field and down the lane
To share them with the neighborhood.
 

SEXT
Four miles she walked and home again,
To sit through half the afternoon
And hear a feeble crone complain;
 

NONES
But when she saw the frosty moon
And lakes of shadow on the hill
Her maiden dreams grew bright as noon.
 

VESPERS
She threw her pitying apron frill
Over a little trembling mouse
When the sleek cat yawned on the sill,
 

COMPLINE
In the late hours and drowsy house.
At last, too tired, beside her bed
She fell asleep.... her prayers half said.