The Two Maidens

One came with light and laughing air, And cheek like opening blossom,- Bright gems were twined amid her hair, And glittered on her bosom, And pearls and costly diamonds deck Her round, white arms and lovely neck. Like summer's sky, with stars bedight, The jewelled robe around her, And dazzling as the noontide light The radiant zone that bound her,- And pride and joy were in her eye, And mortals bowed as she passed by. Another came-o'er her sweet face A pensive shade was stealing; Yet there no grief of earth we trace- But the heaven-hallowed feeling Which mourns the heart should ever stray From the pure fount of Truth away. Around her brow, as snow-drop fair, The glossy tresses cluster, Nor pearl, nor ornament was there, Save the meek spirit's lustre;- And faith and hope beamed in her eye, And angels bowed as she passed by.