XX.

Yet slow, so slowly, gleams the gathering light,

And lingers still the hovering shade of night;

Though part undone the wrong that we confess,

Repentance cannot instant bring redress;

Nor woman, tortured by her thraldom long,

At once stand forth emancipate and strong;

Her pain persistent, though she calm suppress

Her rancour for the past, with sweet forgivingness.