Now she heard the following words sadly sung,-

-Life is a shadow that flits away
In a night of darkness and woe.�

But then would follow brighter thoughts:

-Life has the rose-s sweet perfume
With sunshine, light, and joy.�

And if one stanza sounded painfully-

-Each mortal thinks of himself alone,
Is a truth, alas, too clearly known;�

Then, on the other hand, came the answer-

-Love, like a mighty flowing stream,
Fills every heart with its radiant gleam.�

She heard, indeed, such words as these-

-In the pretty turmoil here below,
All is a vain and paltry show.�

Then came also words of comfort-

-Great and good are the actions done
By many whose worth is never known.�

And if sometimes the mocking strain reached her-

-Why not join in the jesting cry
That contemns all gifts from the throne on high?�

In the blind girl-s heart a stronger voice repeated-

-To trust in thyself and God is best,
In His holy will forever to rest.�

But the evil spirit could not see this and remain contented.