The Wife's Will

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1. Sit still--a word--a breath may break
2. (As light airs stir a sleeping lake)
3. The glassy calm that soothes my woes--
4. The sweet, the deep, the full repose.
5. O leave me not! for ever be
6. Thus, more than life itself to me!
7.  
8. Yes, close beside thee let me kneel--
9. Give me thy hand, that I may feel
10. The friend so true--so tried--so dear,
11. My heart's own chosen--indeed is near;
12. And check me not--this hour divine
13. Belongs to me--is fully mine.
14.  
15. 'Tis thy own hearth thou sitt'st beside,
16. After long absence--wandering wide;
17. 'Tis thy own wife reads in thine eyes
18. A promise clear of stormless skies;
19. For faith and true love light the rays
20. Which shine responsive to her gaze.
21.  
22. Ay,--well that single tear may fall;
23. Ten thousand might mine eyes recall,
24. Which from their lids ran blinding fast,
25. In hours of grief, yet scarcely past;
26. Well mayst thou speak of love to me,
27. For, oh! most truly--I love thee!
28.  
29. Yet smile--for we are happy now.
30. Whence, then, that sadness on thy brow?
31. What sayst thou?" We muse once again,
32. Ere long, be severed by the main!"
33. I knew not this--I deemed no more
34. Thy step would err from Britain's shore.
35.  
36. "Duty commands!" 'Tis true--'tis just;
37. Thy slightest word I wholly trust,
38. Nor by request, nor faintest sigh,
39. Would I to turn thy purpose try;
40. But, William, hear my solemn vow--
41. Hear and confirm!--with thee I go.
42.  
43. "Distance and suffering," didst thou say?
44. "Danger by night, and toil by day?"
45. Oh, idle words and vain are these;
46. Hear me! I cross with thee the seas.
47. Such risk as thou must meet and dare,
48. I--thy true wife--will duly share.
49.  
50. Passive, at home, I will not pine;
51. Thy toils, thy perils shall be mine;
52. Grant this--and be hereafter paid
53. By a warm heart's devoted aid:
54. 'Tis granted--with that yielding kiss,
55. Entered my soul unmingled bliss.
56.  
57. Thanks, William, thanks! thy love has joy,
58. Pure, undefiled with base alloy;
59. 'Tis not a passion, false and blind,
60. Inspires, enchains, absorbs my mind;
61. Worthy, I feel, art thou to be
62. Loved with my perfect energy.
63.  
64. This evening now shall sweetly flow,
65. Lit by our clear fire's happy glow;
66. And parting's peace-embittering fear,
67. Is warned our hearts to come not near;
68. For fate admits my soul's decree,
69. In bliss or bale--to go with thee!