But now the darksome night came on, And Marien lay her down Within a little way-side cave, On mosses green and brown. And in the deepest hush of night Rude robbers entered in; And first they ate and drank, then rose To do a deed of sin. For with them was a feeble man, Whom they had robbed, and they Here came to foully murder him, And hide him from the day. Up from her bed sprang Marien, With heavenly power endued; And in her glorious innocence, Stood ’mong the robbers rude. “Ye shall not take the life of man!” Spake Marien low and sweet; “For this will God take strict account, Before his judgment seat!” Out from the cave the robbers fled, For they believed there stood, A spirit stern and beautiful, Not aught of flesh and blood. And two from out the robber-band Thenceforward did repent, And lived two humble Christian men, On righteous deeds intent. When from the cave the robber-band Had fled, the aged man Rose from the floor where he was laid, And marvelling much, began. “Who art thou, child? and those few words Of might which thou hast spoken, What may they be? My foes have fled-- And lo! my bonds are broken; At thy few words my foes have fled, My rigid bonds have broken!” Then Marien ’gan to tell him how, Through her God’s power had wrought; And him from peril, nigh to death, Thus wondrously had brought. She told him how holy Daniel’s faith The caged beasts disarmed; How the three righteous children walked Through raging fire unharmed. She told how Peter, bound with chains, Lay in the prison-ward, How God’s good angel freed him straight, And the strong prison’s iron gate Oped of its own accord. “God knows our wants,” said Marien “And in our sorest need, Puts forth his arm to rescue us, For he is merciful, and thus It is that thou art freed.” “Let us go hence!” the old man said, And o’er the forest sod, They, hand in hand, with quiet steps, Went forward praising God. Ere noontide, to a forest grange They came, a sylvan place, Where trooped, no longer fearing man, The forest’s native race, The white doe and the antlered stag, And every beast of chase. ’Twas joy to see them drawing near The old man as he came; And this he stroked, and that he called By some familiar name. ’Twas joy unto the little child This little pleasant place to see; “This is my home,” he said, “and here Thou shalt abide with me.” “I have no child to be mine heir, And I am growing old;-- Thou shalt be heir to all my lands, And heir of all my gold.