Part 2 — THE ROSARY
Reading edition
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.
Each hour a pearl, each pearl a prayer, To still a heart in absence wrung; I tell each bead unto the end and there A cross is hung.
Oh memories that bless—and burn! Oh barren gain—and bitter loss! I kiss each bead, and strive at last to learn To kiss the cross, Sweetheart, To kiss the cross.
Robert Cameron Rogers [1862-1912]