CCLXXVI The Good Part That Shall Not Be Taken Away
She dwells by Great Kenhawa’s side,
In valleys green and cool,
And all her hope and all her pride
Are in the village school.
Her soul, like the transparent air 5
That robes the hills above,
Though not of earth, encircles there
All things with arms of love.
And thus she walks among her girls
With praise and mild rebukes; 10
Subduing e’en rude village churls
By her angelic looks.
She reads to them at eventide
Of One who came to save;
To cast the captives’ chains aside, 15
And liberate the slave.
And oft the blessèd time foretells
When all men shall be free;
And musical as silver bells,
Their falling chains shall be. 20
And following her belovèd Lord
In decent poverty,
She makes her life one sweet record
And deed of charity.
For she was rich, and gave up all 25
To break the iron bands
Of those who waited in her hall,
And laboured in her lands.
Long since beyond the Southern Sea
Their outbound sails have sped, 30
While she in meek humility,
Now earns her daily bread.
It is their prayers which never cease,
That clothe her with such grace:
Their blessing is the light of peace, 35
That shines upon her face.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.