Alone with all her woes, her piteous cries

Rose like a butchered lamb's that struggling dies.

The reverend sage who from his dwelling came

For sacred grass and wood to feed the flame,

Heard her loud shrieks that rent the echoing wood,

And, quickly following, by the mourner stood.

Before the sage the lady bent her low,

Dried her poor eyes, and strove to calm her woe.

With blessings on her hopes the blameless man

In silver tones his soothing speech began: