Now would you see this aged Thorn, For oft there sits between the Heap "Oh misery! oh misery! At all times of the day and night And there, beside the Thorn, she sits "Oh misery! oh misery! "Now wherefore, thus, by day and night, In rain, in tempest, and in snow, Does this poor Woman go? And why sits she beside the Thorn And wherefore does she cry? Oh wherefore? wherefore? tell me why Does she repeat that doleful cry?" "I cannot tell; I wish I could; The Pond - and Thorn, so old and gray; Pass by her door- 'tis seldom shut I never heard of such as dare Approach the spot when she is there." "But wherefore to the mountain-top Can this unhappy Woman go, Whatever star is in the skies, Whatever wind may blow ?" ""Tis known, that twenty years are passed Since she (her name is Martha Ray) Gave with a maiden's true good will While friends and kindred all approved And they had fixed the wedding-day, Had sworn another oath; And with this other Maid to church. Unthinking Stephen went Poor Martha! on that woeful day A pang of pitiless dismay Into her soul was sent; A Fire was kindled in her breast, Which might not burn itself to rest. They say, full six months after this, While yet the summer leaves were green, She to the mountain-top would go, And there was often seen. 'Tis said, her lamentable state Even to a careless eye was plain; She was with child, and she was mad; From her exceeding pain. O guilty Father, would that death Had saved him from that breach of faith! Sad case for such a brain to hold Last Christmas-eve we talked of this, And when at last her time drew near, Her looks were calm, her senses clear. No more I know, I wish I did, child And if a child was born or no, And if 'twas born alive or dead, That Martha Ray about this time And all that winter, when at night The wind blew from the mountain-peak, 'Twas worth your while, though in the dark, The churchyard path to seek : For many a time and oft were heard Cries coming from the mountain-head: Some plainly living voices were ; I cannot think, whate'er they say, |