Within her eyes, a pity blent with pain that lashed,
Till Guilt one blinding moment felt its play.
He sank to earth beseeching what? He scarcely knew.
Respite? was pardon past? He felt a touch
As light as though from highest Heaven a Seraph blew
A kiss that floated downwards bringing much.
And on his heart he pressed the flower that Innocence
Had proferred him, the lily bud that erst
Had lain on waters cool and clear. It brought from thence
Some mirrored truth that Nature's self had nursed.