The Letter

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1. What is she writing? Watch her now,
2. How fast her fingers move!
3. How eagerly her youthful brow
4. Is bent in thought above!
5. Her long curls, drooping, shade the light,
6. She puts them quick aside,
7. Nor knows that band of crystals bright,
8. Her hasty touch untied.
9. It slips adown her silken dress,
10. Falls glittering at her feet;
11. Unmarked it falls, for she no less
12. Pursues her labour sweet.
13.  
14. The very loveliest hour that shines,
15. Is in that deep blue sky;
16. The golden sun of June declines,
17. It has not caught her eye.
18. The cheerful lawn, and unclosed gate,
19. The white road, far away,
20. In vain for her light footsteps wait,
21. She comes not forth to-day.
22. There is an open door of glass
23. Close by that lady's chair,
24. From thence, to slopes of messy grass,
25. Descends a marble stair.
26.  
27. Tall plants of bright and spicy bloom
28. Around the threshold grow;
29. Their leaves and blossoms shade the room
30. From that sun's deepening glow.
31. Why does she not a moment glance
32. Between the clustering flowers,
33. And mark in heaven the radiant dance
34. Of evening's rosy hours?
35. O look again! Still fixed her eye,
36. Unsmiling, earnest, still,
37. And fast her pen and fingers fly,
38. Urged by her eager will.
39.  
40. Her soul is in th'absorbing task;
41. To whom, then, doth she write?
42. Nay, watch her still more closely, ask
43. Her own eyes' serious light;
44. Where do they turn, as now her pen
45. Hangs o'er th'unfinished line?
46. Whence fell the tearful gleam that then
47. Did in their dark spheres shine?
48. The summer-parlour looks so dark,
49. When from that sky you turn,
50. And from th'expanse of that green park,
51. You scarce may aught discern.
52.  
53. Yet, o'er the piles of porcelain rare,
54. O'er flower-stand, couch, and vase,
55. Sloped, as if leaning on the air,
56. One picture meets the gaze.
57. 'Tis there she turns; you may not see
58. Distinct, what form defines
59. The clouded mass of mystery
60. Yon broad gold frame confines.
61. But look again; inured to shade
62. Your eyes now faintly trace
63. A stalwart form, a massive head,
64. A firm, determined face.
65.  
66. Black Spanish locks, a sunburnt cheek
67. A brow high, broad, and white,
68. Where every furrow seems to speak
69. Of mind and moral might.
70. Is that her god? I cannot tell;
71. Her eye a moment met
72. Th'impending picture, then it fell
73. Darkened and dimmed and wet.
74. A moment more, her task is done,
75. And sealed the letter lies;
76. And now, towards the setting sun
77. She turns her tearful eyes.
78.  
79. Those tears flow over, wonder not,
80. For by the inscription see
81. In what a strange and distant spot
82. Her heart of hearts must be!
83. Three seas and many a league of land
84. That letter must pass o'er,
85. Ere read by him to whose loved hand
86. 'Tis sent from England's shore.
87. Remote colonial wilds detain
88. Her husband, loved though stern;
89. She, 'mid that smiling English scene,
90. Weeps for his wished return.