The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-07-06
\ VISION OF REPENTANCE.
BY CHARLES LAMB.

saw q famous fountain in my dream
Where shadowy pathways to a valley led;
A weeping willow lay upon that stream,
And all around that fountain brink were spread
Wide-branching trees, with darR-geen leafrch CLAD
Forming a doubtful twght-desolate and sad
The place was such, that whose entcrd in,
Dsrobed was of every earthly thought
And straight became as one that knew not sin,
Or to the worlds first innocence was brought;
Ensecm'd it now, he stood Oh holy ground,
In sweet and tender melancholy WRAPPED around.
a most strange calm stole DER my sootheC sprite;
Long time | stood, and longer had l stay'd,
When, 10! saw, saw by the sweet moonlight,
Which came in silence DER that silent shade,
Where, near the fountain, SOMETHING like DEspAI
Made, of that weeping willow, garands for her hail
And exc with painful fingers she inwove
Many an uncouth stem Of savage thorn
The willow garland, that was for her love,
And these her bleeding temples would adorn."
With signs her heart nigh burst salt tears fast fell
AS mourniully she Bonded DER that sacred we'll.
To whom when ADDRESSED myself to speak,
She lifted up her eyes and nothing said;
The delicate red came mantng DER her cheek,
And, gath'ring up her loose attire, she fled
To the dark covert of that woody shade,
And in her goings secm'd tinlid, gentle maid
Revolving in my mind what this should mean,
And why that lovely lady planned so;
Perplex'd in thought at that mysterious scene,
And doubling if 'twerc best to stay or go,
! cast mine eyes in wistful gaze around.
When from the shades came slow Il small and plain
tive sound.
PSYCHE am I, who love to dwell
In these brown shades, this woody dell,
Where never busy mortal came,
Till now, to pry upon my shame
At thy feet what thou dost see
The waters Of repentance be,
Which, night and day must augment
With tears, like true pentcnt,
If haply so my day of grace
&c not yet past; and this lone place,
O'ershadowy, dark, eXcludeth hence
All thoughts but grief and penitence."
&c Wig 4ost thea ocecp, hoU gentle maid?
Ind Wherc1dye in Ills barren shnde
Thy hidlen MonqhtS 3cM so1T0w feed?
Ca6 thing so .Ja| repentance need?'
ooh I have done deed of shame,
And tainted is my virgin fame,
And stand the beauteous maiden white,
In which my bridal robes were digit"
"An6 wb0 the promised spouse, decla1r;
Ind mkat those dlidat garments ~ere."
Severe and sanity Righteousness
Composed the clear white bridal dress;
JESUS, the son of Heavens high king,
Bought with his blood the marriage ring.
A wretchcd sinful creature,
Deemd lightly of that sacred tic,
Gave to treacherous WORLD my heart,
And play'd the foolish wanton's part.
Soon to these murky shades came,
To hide from the suns light my shame.
And still haunt this woody dell,
And battle me in that healing WELL
Whose waters clear have influence
From sins foul stains the soul to cleanse;
And night and day, them augment
With tears, like true penitent,
Until, due expiatior made,
And fit atonement fully paid,
The lord and bridegroom me present,
Where in sweet strains of high consent,
Gods throne before, the Seraphim
Shall chant the ecstatic marriage hymn"