For it had sought them long, and sought in vain.
At length it reach’d them, and it brought new pain
To their still aching hearts. It told a tale
Of sadness; that the threat’ning rod again
Hung over them. Here let me draw a veil;
To tell their feelings now, all words would sadly fail.
XXXVIII.
But I, who ever hope, hoped even now;
For I was with them when the letter came,
And though some sadness settled on my brow,