Yet Emily is soothed;--the breeze Came fraught with kindly sympathies. As she approached yon rustic Shed[110] 85 Hung with late-flowering woodbine, spread Along the walls and overhead, The fragrance of the breathing flowers Revived[111] a memory of those hours When here, in this remote alcove, 90 (While from the pendent woodbine came Like odours, sweet as if the same) A fondly-anxious Mother strove To teach her salutary fears And mysteries above her years. 95 Yes, she is soothed: an Image faint, And yet not faint--a presence bright Returns to her--that blessèd Saint[112] Who with mild looks and language mild Instructed here her darling Child, 100 While yet a prattler on the knee, To worship in simplicity The invisible God, and take for guide The faith reformed and purified. 'Tis flown--the Vision, and the sense 105 Of that beguiling influence; "But oh! thou Angel from above, Mute Spirit[113] of maternal love, That stood'st before my eyes, more clear Than ghosts are fabled to appear 110 Sent upon embassies of fear; As thou thy presence hast to me Vouchsafed, in radiant ministry Descend on Francis; nor forbear To greet him with a voice, and say;-- 115 'If hope be a rejected stay, Do thou, my Christian Son, beware Of that most lamentable snare, The self-reliance of despair!'"[114] Then from within the embowered retreat 120 Where she had found a grateful seat Perturbed she issues. She will go! Herself will follow to the war, And clasp her Father's knees;--ah, no! She meets the insuperable bar, 125 The injunction by her Brother laid; His parting charge--but ill obeyed-- That interdicted all debate, All prayer for this cause or for that; All efforts that would turn aside 130 The headstrong current of their fate: _Her duty is to stand and wait_;[115][KK] In resignation to abide The shock, AND FINALLY SECURE O'ER PAIN AND GRIEF A TRIUMPH PURE.[115] 135 --She feels it, and her pangs are checked.[116] But now, as silently she paced The turf, and thought by thought was chased, Came One who, with sedate respect, Approached, and, greeting her, thus spake;[117] 140 "An old man's privilege I take: Dark is the time--a woeful day! Dear daughter of affliction, say How can I serve you? point the way."