HER hands were clasped, her dark eyes raised, The breeze threw back her hair; Up to the fearful wheel she gazed -- All that she loved was there. The night was round her clear and cold, The holy heaven above, Its pale stars watching to behold The might of earthly love. "And bid me not depart," she cried. "My Rudolph, say not so! This is no time to quit thy side -- Peace! peace! I cannot go. Hath the world aught for me to fear, When death is on thy brow? The world! what means it? Mine is here -- I will not leave thee now. I have been with thee in thine hour Of glory and of bliss; Doubt not its memory's living power To strengthen me through this! And thou, mine honored love and true, Bear on, bear nobly on! We have the blessed heaven in view Whose rest shall soon be won." And were not these high words to flow From woman's breaking heart? Through all that night of bitterest woe She bore her lofty part; But oh! with such a glazing eye, With such a curdling cheek -- Love, Love! of mortal agony Thou, only thou, shouldst speak! The wind rose high -- but with it rose Her voice, that he might hear: -- Perchance that dark hour brought repose To happy bosoms near; While she sat striving with despair Beside his tortured form, And pouring her deep soul in prayer Forth on the rushing storm. She wiped the death-damps from his brow With her pale hands and soft, Whose touch upon the lute-chords low Had stilled his heart so oft. She spread her mantle o'er his breast, She bathed his lips with dew, And on his cheeks such kisses pressed As hope and joy ne'er knew. Oh! lovely are ye, Love and Faith, Enduring to the last! She had her meed -- one smile in death -- And his worn spirit passed! While even as o'er a martyr's grave She knelt on that sad spot, And, weeping, blessed the God who gave Strength to forsake it not! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SUNDAY NIGHT by LOUIS UNTERMEYER A LITTLE WHILE by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR HOW WE BURNED THE 'PHILADELPHIA' by BARRETT EASTMAN BROTHERS by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS EPICOENE; OR, THE SILENT WOMAN: FREEDOM IN DRESS by BEN JONSON THE MAN WITH THE HOE by EDWIN MARKHAM THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS by THOMAS MOORE ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 11. ON LOVE - TO A FRIEND by MARK AKENSIDE ON CYNTHIA, SINGING A RECITATIVE PIECE OF MUSIC by PHILIP AYRES |