Page:Eliot - Adam Bede, vol. III, 1859.djvu/249

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ADAM BEDE.
239

new room, where Adam had been writing the night before, to see what sweeping and dusting were needed there. She opened the window and let in the fresh morning air, and the smell of the sweet-brier, and the bright low-slanting rays of the early sun, which made a glory about her pale face and pale auburn hair as she held the long brush, and swept, singing to herself in a very low tone—like a sweet summer murmur that you have to listen for very closely—one of Charles Wesley's hymns:


"Eternal Beam of Light Divine,
   Fountain of unexhausted love,
 In whom the Father's glories shine,
   Through earth beneath and heav'n above;

 Jesus! the weary wanderer's rest,
   Give me thy easy yoke to bear;
 With steadfast patience arm my breast
   With spotless love and holy fear.

 Speak to my warring passions, 'Peace!'
   Say to my trembling heart, 'Be still!'
 Thy power my strength and fortress is,
   For all things serve thy sovereign will."


She laid by the brush, and took up the duster; and if you had ever lived in Mrs Poyser's household, you would know how the duster behaved in Dinah's hand—how it went into every small corner, and on every ledge in and out of sight—how it went again