My widowed grandsire claimed a daughter’s care,—

What was it to a soul by passion swayed?

His lonely dwelling now must strangers share,

No daughter’s voice to raise the hymn, or join the prayer.

’Twas on a summer morn I left my home,

Buoyant with hope and long-sought happiness,

Yet did a feeling of misgiving come

When, folded in the old man’s last caress,

He in his trembling accents strove to bless

The child who left him lonely, aged, and blind