But, unexplained, 'tis just the book
To puzzle the young brain;
And the poor child had no kind friend.
Its meaning to explain.
For though her aunts were very kind,
They were not overwise,
And only said, "Don't read so, child,
I'm sure you'll spoil your eyes."
But Marian still went reading on.
And visions strange and wild
Began to fill the little head
Of the lonely, dreaming child;
For she thought that Christian and his wife,
And all their children too,
Had left behind their pleasant home,
And done what she must do.
"I'll take my Bible," said the child,
"And seek the road to heaven;
I'll try to find the Wicket Gate,
And hope to be forgiven.
I wish my aunts would go with me,
But 'tis in vain to ask;
They are so deaf and rather lame.
They'd think it quite a task.
No! I must go alone, I see.
So I'll not let them know;
Or, like poor Christian's friends, they'll say,
'My dear, you must not go.'
