The yellow book: an illustrated quarterly (9.1896)

A Ballad of Victory

By Dollie Radford

With quiet step and gentle face,

With tattered cloak, and empty hands,
She came into the market place,

A traveller from many lands.

And by the costly merchandise,

Where people thronged in eager quest,
She paused awhile, with patient eyes,

And begged a little space for rest.

And where the fairest blossoms lay,

And where the rarest fruits were sent
From earth’s abundant store, that day,
She turned and smiled in her content.

And where the meagre stall was bare,
Where no exultant voice was heard,
Beside the barren basket, there

She stayed to say her sweetest word.

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