Was It Right to Forgive? A Domestic Romance

by Amelia E. Barr

My children suffer by his law;

At last my own release was earned;

I was some time in being burned,

But at the close a hand came through

The fire above my head; and drew

My soul to Christ; whom now I see.

Sergius, a brother, writes for me,

This testimony on the wall:

For me, I have forgot it all.’

Could any picture be more perfect? Christ has made of the poor sick slave a hero; and he speaks dispassionately from the other side. At last his release was earned. He was some time in being burned. Sergius writes—it is not he—he has forgot it all. These words light up an infinite picture, and surely the poet, who with one light stroke can smite such a statute from the rock, is a Master crowned, and worthy of our love.”