Or saying my prayers by the taper's glow,

I wish that my Harry had this preferr'd

To the painted toys and the men below.

'I wish that my Harry had this preferr'd'—

But ought I to wish it, if he does not?

Has my foolish heart from its duty err'd,

And the soft compliance of love forgot?

[pg 58]

There can be no question 'twixt wrong and right;

And surely we all can be brave and strong;

Yet I seem a little perplex'd to-night,

And hardly to know what is right or wrong.

I'm very young to be anyone's wife,

And to know about serious things like these—

Must my little hand touch my husband's life

With a thought of something more than to please?

What shall I do with this ghost of a care

That makes my silly heart flutter and sink?

I will first kneel down and will say a prayer,

And then I'll ask Harry what I should think!

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