The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-23
Fsom Biaeksoofs Magazine
THE GREENWOOD sHRIFT.

OF Windsor Forests deepest glade,
dying woman lay;
Three little children round her stood, al
And there went up from the greenwood
woful wall that day.
20 mother!" was the mingled cry,
20 mother, mother do not die,
And leave as all alone
" My blessed babes !" she tried TO saw
But the faint accents died away
In low, sobbing moan.
And then life struggled hard with death,
And fast and strong she drew her breath,
Andup she raised her head;
And peering through the deep wood maze
With long, sharp. uneanhly gaze,
q VT .Will he not come ~ she said.
just then, the parting boushs between,
A little maids light form was seen,
All breathless with her speed;
And following close, a man came on,
"a pouly man 10 look upon,)
Who led painting steed.
/. Mother" the little maiden cried,
Or e'er she reached the woman's side,
And kissed her clay-co check
have not idied in the town,
But long went wandering up and down,
The minister 70 seek.
..They told me here--they told me there
think they Knocked me every where;
And when found his home,
And begged him on my Blended knee
To bring his book and come with me-
Mother! he would not come.
told him how you dying lay,
And could not 20 in peace away
Without the minister;
begged him, for dear Christ, his sake,
But oh my heart, was fit to break
Mother !! he would not stir.
$50, though my tears were binding me,
ran back, fast az fast can be,
To come again to you;
And here-close by--this squire met,
Who asked ESQ mild y what made me fret;
And when told him true,
al will 60 with you, child he said,
God sends me to this dying bed
-, Mother, he's here, hard BY"
While thus the little maiden spoke,
The man, his back against an oak,
Lookd on with slsienins eye.
The bride on his neck flung free,
With quivering flank and trembling knee,
Pressed close his bonny bay;
a stateller man, o statelier stced, t
Never on gTeensward paced, rede,
Than those stood there that day.
So, while the little maiden spoke,
The man, his back against an oak,
Looked on with glistening eye
And. folded arm; and in his look IN
Something that like sermon book, &
es achd-" AL is vanity" #
But when the dying womans face
TUNED toward him with wishful gaze,
He steppd to where she lay; &E i.p
And kneeling down, bent over her,
Saying: !" am minister
My sister let US pray"
And well, without book or stole,
Gods words were printed on his soul)
Into the dying ear, sg ~ q.
lie breathed, as twere, an angels strain,
The things that unto life pertain,
And deaths dark shadows clear @&f
He spoke Of sinners lost estate,
In Christ rcnewed--regenern
OF Gods most blest decree,
That not asingle soul should die
Who turns repentant with the cry ,
Be merciful to me-"
He spoke oftrouble, pain. and toll,
Endured but for little while
in patience, faith, and love,
Sure, in Gods own good time, to be
Exchanged for an eternity
Ofhappiness above. ,.
Then, as the spirit ebb'd away, a
he raised his hands and eyes, TO pray
That peaceful it might pass
And then--the orphans sobs alone @ f#
Were heard, as they knelt every one
Close round on the green grass.
Such was the sight their wondering eyes %&@
Beheld, in heart-struck mute surprise.
Who rained the coursers back,
just as they found the long astray,
Who in the heat of chase that day ".5 +,
Had wanderd from their track
But each man reigned his paving steed,
And lighted down, as if agreed,
In silence Mt his side .,#.#
And there, uncovered all they stood
II was a wholesome sight and good
That day for mortal PRIDE "
For the noblest Of the land . 4
Was that deep hushd bare headed band:
And central in the ring .-.....
by that dead pauper on the ground
Her ragged orphans clingng round,
knelt their amounted king.
The royal minister was George the Third. The an.
Is related on the authority OF the Rev. George Crab
well known poet of humble life