THE DYING NUN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 64

THE DYING NUN.

Let the air blow in upon me, Let me see the midnight sky; Stand back, sisters, from around me— Gcd. it is so hard to die. Rsise the pi'low up, oh, Martha, Sister Martha, you -were kind; Come and stand alone ba^idj- me Ere 1 leave you all behind. Hold my hand, so cold and frozen, Once it was so soft, and white, And this ring that falls down from it Clasped my finger round so tight. Little ring they thought so worthless That they let me keep it there ; Only a plain golden, circlet, With a braid of Douglas's hair. Sj=ter Martha, are you near me — You were kinder than the rest; Lift my bead and let me lean it, While I live, upon your breast. 1 was thinking of some music Thai I heard long, long ago. — Oh, hew sweet the nuns are singmg in the chapel, soft and low. Oh, my father, oh, my mother, Will you not forgive the past. When you hear some sti anger tell you How your stray lamb died ai last ? Out of all that used to love me, Who will weep when I am dead ; Only you, oh, Siscer Maltha Keep th« last watch by my bed. But a strain of heavenly music Drowns the holy midnight dream; Still I hear the wild waltz pealing, And I float away to kirn. I am coming, Douglas, Doug'as, Where you are I, too, ?.m there. Freed at lasrt. I come, my dearest — Deat'i gives back your little Clare. Sister Martha, Sister Martha, Has the moon gone down so soon? Oh, the cell seems cold as winter, Tho' I know thfct it is June. Sisters, in your whue beds lying, Sleeping in the June moonlight, Thro' your dreams there comes no message — Clara die 3 alona to-night.