Stephenson's Graded Classical Poems

Thus, at peace with God and the world, the farmer
of Grand-Pre.
Lived on his sunny farm, and Evangeline governed
his household.
Many a youth, as he knelt in the church and opened
his missal,
Fixed his eyes upon her as the saint of his deepest
devotion;
Happy was he who might touch her hand or
the hem of her garment!
Many a suitor came to her door, by the darkness
befriended,
And, as he knocked and waited to hear the sound
of her foot-steps,
Knew not which beat the louder, his heart or the
knocker of iron;
Or, at the joyous feast of the Patron Saint of the
village,
Bolder grew, and pressed her hand in the dance as
he whispered
Hurried words of love, that seemed a part of the
music.
But among all who came young Gabriel only was
welcome;
Gabriel Lajeunesse, the son of Basil the blacksmith,
Who was a mighty man in the village, and honored
of all men;
For since the birth of time, throughout all ages and
nations,
Has the craft of the smith been held in repute by
the people.
Basil was Benedict's friend. Their children from
earliest childhood
Grew up together as brother and sister; and Father
Felician,

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