University of Virginia Library


18

“ICH HABE GELEBT UND GELIEBT.”

Yes, I have lived through many weary years
Of suffering, and grief, and endless pain,
And little joy, and bitter, bitter tears;
And all my darkened life has been in vain.
For what is left me in my old age now?
These locks of snow.
Yes, I have loved, and madly loved, and long,
With all the passion of a woman's loving,
Through joy and sorrow, through distrust and wrong;
And through behoving, and through unbehoving.
And now, in my old age, what is my part?
A broken heart.
July 18th, 1864.