For the Church’s use, to the Church’s hands,

Renounces the world, with its pleasures and wiles,

And to-day she confesses to Father Giles:

Slight is the penance, I ween, may atone

For all of sin she hath ever known!

“Daughter! since last thou didst kneel for grace,

Hath peace in thy heart found a dwelling-place?

From thy breast hast thou banished each idle thought?

Save thy spirit’s weal hast thou pined for naught?”

Moist is her kerchief, and drooped her head,