O God, that creatures framed to feel
A yearning nature’s strong appeal
Should writhe on this eternal wheel
In rayless grime;
And vainly note, with wan regret,
Each star of early promise set;
Till Death relieves, and they forget
Their one Life’s time!
Westbourne Park Villas, 1866.
A MAIDEN’S PLEDGE
(SONG)
I do not wish to win your vow
To take me soon or late as bride,
And lift me from the nook where now
I tarry your farings to my side.
I am blissful ever to abide
In this green labyrinth—let all be,
If but, whatever may betide,
You do not leave off loving me!
Your comet-comings I will wait
With patience time shall not wear through;
The yellowing years will not abate
My largened love and truth to you,
Nor drive me to complaint undue
Of absence, much as I may pine,
If never another ’twixt us two
Shall come, and you stand wholly mine.
THE CHILD AND THE SAGE
You say, O Sage, when weather-checked,
“I have been favoured so
With cloudless skies, I must expect
This dash of rain or snow.”
“Since health has been my lot,” you say,
“So many months of late,
I must not chafe that one short day
Of sickness mars my state.”
You say, “Such bliss has been my share
From Love’s unbroken smile,
It is but reason I should bear
A cross therein awhile.”