And eke with painful fingers she inwove Many an uncouth stem of savage thorn-- “The willow garland, that was for her love, And these her bleeding temples would adorn.” With sighs her heart nigh burst, salt tears fast fell As mournfully she bended o’er that sacred well. To whom when I address’d myself to speak, She lifted up her eyes, and nothing said; The delicate red came mantling o’er her cheek, And, gathering up her loose attire, she fled To the dark covert of that woody shade, And in her goings seem’d a timid gentle maid. Revolving in my mind what this should mean, And why that lovely lady plained so; Perplex’d in thought at that mysterious scene, And doubting if ’twere best to stay or go, I cast mine eyes in wistful gaze around, When from the shades came slow a small and plaintive sound. “Psyche am I, who love to dwell In these brown shades, this woody dell, Where never busy mortal came Till now, to pry upon my shame. “At thy feet what thou dost see, The waters of repentance be, Which, night and day, I must augment With tears, like a true penitent, “If haply so my day of grace Be not yet past; and this lone place, O’ershadowy, dark, excludeth hence All thoughts but grief and penitence.” “_Why dost thou weep, thou gentle maid! And wherefore in this barren shade Thy hidden thoughts with sorrow feed? Can thing so fair repentance need?_” “Oh! I have done a deed of shame, And tainted is my virgin fame, And stain’d the beauteous maiden white In which my bridal robes were dight.” “_And who the promised spouse, declare: And what those bridal garments were?_” “Severe and saintly righteousness Composed the clear white bridal dress; Jesus, the Son of Heaven’s high King, Bought with His blood the marriage-ring. A wretched sinful creature, I Deem’d lightly of that sacred tie, Gave to a treacherous world my heart, And play’d the foolish wanton’s part.