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. 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. " 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; | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VENICE by JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS SONG OF THE PILGRIMS [SEPTEMBER 16, 1620] by THOMAS COGSWELL UPHAM PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 56. AL-WALI by EDWIN ARNOLD CHRISTMAS AFTER WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES ON HEARING AN AEOLIAN HARP by PETER BAYLEY JR. THE DAUGHTER by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS |