But here in my body my soul lives alone,
And thou answerest me from a house of thine own,—
That house which I builded!
Which we builded together, thy father and I;
In which thou must live, O my darling, and die!
Not one stone can I alter, one atom relay,—
Not to save or defend thee or help thee to stay—
That gift is completed!
How best can I serve thee? O child, if they knew
How my heart aches with loving! How deep and how true,