Nor day nor night he ventures near her;

To her he dares not speak rebuke,

Nor on her cast suspecting look.

Her bath she sought by none attended,

Except her chosen female slave,

The Khan to her such freedom gave;

But rarely he himself offended

By visits, the desponding fair,

Remotely lodged, none else intruded;

It seemed as though some jewel rare,

Something unearthly were secluded,

And careful kept untroubled there.

Within her chamber thus secure,

By virtue guarded, chaste and pure,

The lamp of faith, incessant burning,

The VIRGIN'S image blest illumed,

The comfort of the spirit mourning

And trust of those to sorrow doomed.

The holy symbol's face reflected

The rays of hope in splendour bright,

And the rapt soul by faith directed

To regions of eternal light.

Maria, near the VIRGIN kneeling,

In silence gave her anguish way,

Unnoticed by the crowd unfeeling,

And whilst the rest, or sad or gay,

Wasted in idleness the day,

The sacred image still concealing,

Before it pouring forth her prayer,

She watched with ever jealous care;

Even as our hearts to error given,

Yet lighted by a spark from heaven,

Howe'er from virtue's paths we swerve,