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THE WIFE'S WILL.

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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;

​And parting's peace-embittering fear,

Is warned, our hearts to come not near;

For fate admits my soul's decree,

In bliss or bale—to go with thee!

Currer.

Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

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