The Rosary

The hours I spent with thee, dear heart

Are as a string of pearls to me

I count them over every one apart

My rosary, my rosary

Each hour a pearl, each pearl a prayer

To still a heart in absence wronged

I count each bead unto the end

And there a cross is hung

O memories that bless and burn

O barren gain and bitter loss

I kiss each bead and strive at last to learn

To kiss the cross

Sweetheart, to kiss the cross

To kiss the cross