In her eye of faded blue,

Then trickled down in a furrow deep,

Like a single drop of dew;

So deep was the channel—so silent the stream—

The good man saw naught but the dimmed eye-beam.

Yet he marvelled much that the cheerful light

Of her eye had weary grown,

And marvelled he more at the tangled balls;

So he said in a gentle tone,

"I have shared thy joys since our marriage vow,