* * * * *

[End of MS.]

[[276]] Part III[276:1]

The grapes upon the Vicar's wall [220]
Were ripe as ripe could be;
And yellow leaves in sun and wind
Were falling from the tree.

On the hedge-elms in the narrow lane
Still swung the spikes of corn: [225]
Dear Lord! it seems but yesterday—
Young Edward's marriage-morn.

Up through that wood behind the church,
There leads from Edward's door
A mossy track, all over boughed, [230]
For half a mile or more.

And from their house-door by that track
The bride and bridegroom went;
Sweet Mary, though she was not gay,
Seemed cheerful and content. 235

But when they to the church-yard came,
I've heard poor Mary say,
As soon as she stepped into the sun,
Her heart it died away.

And when the Vicar join'd their hands, [240]
Her limbs did creep and freeze:
But when they prayed, she thought she saw
Her mother on her knees.

[[277]]And o'er the church-path they returned—
I saw poor Mary's back, 245
Just as she stepped beneath the boughs
Into the mossy track.