Lxiii

While to the door with eager speed they ran, From her bare straw the Woman half upraised Her bony visage--gaunt and deadly wan; No pity asking, on the group she gazed With a dim eye, distracted and amazed; Then sank upon her straw with feeble moan. Fervently cried the housewife--"God be praised, I have a house that I can call my own; Nor shall she perish there, untended and alone!"