A Maid Who Died Old

Frail, shrunken face, so pinched and worn,     That life has carved with care and doubt!     So weary waiting, night and morn,     For that which never came about!     Pale lamp, so utterly forlorn,     In which God's light at last is out.     Gray hair, that lies so thin and prim     On either side the sunken brows!     And soldered eyes, so deep and dim,     No word of man could now arouse!     And hollow hands, so virgin slim,     Forever clasped in silent vows!     Poor breasts! that God designed for love,     For baby lips to kiss and press;     That never felt, yet dreamed thereof,     The human touch, the child caress -     That lie like shriveled blooms above     The heart's long-perished happiness.     O withered body, Nature gave     For purposes of death and birth,     That never knew, and could but crave     Those things perhaps that make life worth, -     Rest now, alas! within the grave,     Sad shell that served no end of Earth.