same small eyes and dim watched o’er me, The same dry, bony fingers nursed.

And day by day when morning lightened, To school thou led’st me—home did’st bring, And thine were all the blooms that brightened The chilly landscape of my spring.

And, thou my match and marriage monger, The marriage deed by thee was read; The hands foretelling need and hunger Were laid in blessing on my head.

Thy love for me shall last unshaken, No further proof I ask, for when My hopes for aye were from me taken, My Mis’ry, thou wert with me then;

And still, while sorrow’s storm is breaking Above me, and my head I bow— The kindly and the unforsaking, Oh Mis’ry, thou art with me now.

Ay, still from out Fate’s gloomy towers I see thee come to me again, With wreaths of everlasting flowers, And songs funereal in thy train.

And when life’s curses rock me nightly, And hushed I lie in slumber’s hold, Thy sable form comes treading lightly To wrap me in its garments fold.

Thy brother let me be, and wholly Repay thee all I owe, tho’ late: My aching heart, my melancholy, My songs to thee I dedicate.

 O Long The Way

O long the way and short the day, No light in tower or town, The waters roar and far the shore— My ship, my ship goes down!

’Tis all in vain to strive again, My cry the billows drown, The fight is done, the wind has won— My ship, my ship goes down!

Bright sun, adieu! Thou’lt shine anew When skies no longer frown, But I—the deafening billows crash— My ship, my ship goes down!

 To The Fortune Seeker

A little more, a little less!— O shadow-hunters pitiless, Why then so eager, say! What’er you leave the grave will take, And all you gain and all you make, It will not last a day!

Full soon will come the Reaper Black, Cut thorns and flowers mark his track Across Life’s meadow blithe. Oppose him, meet him as you will, Old Time’s behests he harkens still, Unsparing wields his scythe.

A horrid mutiny by stealth Breaks out,—of power, fame and wealth Deserted you shall be! The foam upon your lip is rife; The last enigma now of Life Shall Death resolve for thee.

 Prev. P 13/25 next