THE WIFE'S WILL

THE WIFE'S WILL
SIT still–a word–a breath may break (As light airs stir a sleeping lake,) The glassy calm that soothes my woes, The sweet, the deep, the full repose. [Page 29] O leave me not ! for ever be Thus, more than life itself to me ! Yes, close beside thee, let me kneel– Give me thy hand that I may feel The friend so true–so tried–so dear, My heart's own chosen–indeed is near; And check me not–this hour divine Belongs to me–is fully mine. 'Tis thy own hearth thou sitt'st beside, After long absence–wandering wide; 'Tis thy own wife reads in thine eyes, A promise clear of stormless skies, For faith and true love light the rays, Which shine responsive to her gaze. Aye,–well that single tear may fall; Ten thousand might mine eyes recall, Which from their lids, ran blinding fast, In hours of grief, yet scarcely past, Well may'st thou speak of love to me; For, oh ! most truly–I love thee ! Yet smile–for we are happy now. Whence, then, that sadness on thy brow ? What say'st thou ? " We must once again, Ere long, be severed by the main ? " I knew not this–I deemed no more, Thy step would err from Britain's shore. [Page 30] " Duty commands ?" 'Tis true–'tis just; Thy slightest word I wholly trust, Nor by request, nor faintest sigh Would I, to turn thy purpose, try; But, William–hear my solemn vow– Hear and confirm !–with thee I go. " Distance and suffering," did'st thou say ? " Danger by night, and toil by day ?" Oh, idle words, and vain are these; Hear me ! I cross with thee the seas. Such risk as thou must meet and dare, I–thy true wife–will duly share. Passive, at home, I will not pine; Thy toils–thy perils, shall be mine; Grant this–and be hereafter paid By a warm heart's devoted aid: 'Tis granted–with that yielding kiss, Entered my soul unmingled bliss. Thanks, William–thanks ! thy love has joy, Pure–undefiled with base alloy; 'Tis not a passion, false and blind, Inspires, enchains, absorbs my mind; Worthy, I feel, art thou to be Loved with my perfect energy. This evening, now, shall sweetly flow, Lit by our clear fire's happy glow; [Page 31] And parting's peace-embittering fear, Is warned, our hearts to come not near; For fate admits my soul's decree, In bliss or bale–to go with thee ! CURRER.
back

SIT still–a word–a breath may break
(As light airs stir a sleeping lake,)
The glassy calm that soothes my woes,
The sweet, the deep, the full repose.

[Page 29]
O leave me not ! for ever be
Thus, more than life itself to me !

Yes, close beside thee, let me kneel–
Give me thy hand that I may feel
The friend so true–so tried–so dear,
My heart's own chosen–indeed is near;
And check me not–this hour divine
Belongs to me–is fully mine.

'Tis thy own hearth thou sitt'st beside,
After long absence–wandering wide;
'Tis thy own wife reads in thine eyes,
A promise clear of stormless skies,
For faith and true love light the rays,
Which shine responsive to her gaze.

Aye,–well that single tear may fall;
Ten thousand might mine eyes recall,
Which from their lids, ran blinding fast,
In hours of grief, yet scarcely past,
Well may'st thou speak of love to me;
For, oh ! most truly–I love thee !

Yet smile–for we are happy now.
Whence, then, that sadness on thy brow ?
What say'st thou ? " We must once again,
Ere long, be severed by the main ? "
I knew not this–I deemed no more,
Thy step would err from Britain's shore.

[Page 30]
" Duty commands ?" 'Tis true–'tis just;
Thy slightest word I wholly trust,
Nor by request, nor faintest sigh
Would I, to turn thy purpose, try;
But, William–hear my solemn vow–
Hear and confirm !–with thee I go.

" Distance and suffering," did'st thou say ?
" Danger by night, and toil by day ?"
Oh, idle words, and vain are these;
Hear me ! I cross with thee the seas.
Such risk as thou must meet and dare,
I–thy true wife–will duly share.

Passive, at home, I will not pine;
Thy toils–thy perils, shall be mine;
Grant this–and be hereafter paid
By a warm heart's devoted aid:
'Tis granted–with that yielding kiss,
Entered my soul unmingled bliss.

Thanks, William–thanks ! thy love has joy,
Pure–undefiled with base alloy;
'Tis not a passion, false and blind,
Inspires, enchains, absorbs my mind;
Worthy, I feel, art thou to be
Loved with my perfect energy.

This evening, now, shall sweetly flow,
Lit by our clear fire's happy glow;

[Page 31]
And parting's peace-embittering fear,
Is warned, our hearts to come not near;
For fate admits my soul's decree,
In bliss or bale–to go with thee !

CURRER.

back