They’re all too white for me, I’m afraid:

Perhaps I may soon be as white as they.

Dark!—all dark!—for the light is dead.

Father in heaven, may I have rest?

One hour of sleep for my weary head—

For this breaking heart in my poor, poor breast!

For his sweet sake do I kneel and pray,

O God! protect him from change and ill;

And render her worthier every way,

The older the purer, the lovelier still.