Cold was the night wind, drifting fast the snows fell, <br />Wide were the downs and shelterless and naked, <br />When a poor Wanderer struggled on her journey <br /> Weary and way-sore. <br /> <br />Drear were the downs, more dreary her reflexions; <br />Cold was the night wind, colder was her bosom! <br />She had no home, the world was all before her, <br /> She had no shelter. <br /> <br />Fast o'er the bleak heath rattling drove a chariot, <br />"Pity me!" feebly cried the poor night wanderer. <br />"Pity me Strangers! lest with cold and hunger <br /> Here I should perish. <br /> <br />"Once I had friends,--but they have all forsook me! <br />"Once I had parents,--they are now in Heaven! <br />"I had a home once--I had once a husband-- <br /> "Pity me Strangers! <br /> <br />"I had a home once--I had once a husband-- <br />"I am a Widow poor and broken-hearted!" <br />Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining. <br /> On drove the chariot. <br /> <br />On the cold snows she laid her down to rest her; <br />She heard a horseman, "pity me!" she groan'd out; <br />Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining, <br /> On went the horseman. <br /> <br />Worn out with anguish, toil and cold and hunger, <br />Down sunk the Wanderer, sleep had seiz'd her senses; <br />There, did the Traveller find her in the morning, <br /> GOD had releast her.<br /><br />Robert Southey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-widow-4/
