 | The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith |  |
262
MISGIVING
Has he done wrong, who, as the years go past,
In loneliness, knowing it all in vain,
As he has loved before, to love again,
Brings to his home another bride at last?
In loneliness, knowing it all in vain,
As he has loved before, to love again,
Brings to his home another bride at last?
Tender and kind, he cherishes his mate
More tenderly, the more he feels that she
Gets not the perfect love which ought to be
The guerdon and the bliss of wife's estate.
More tenderly, the more he feels that she
Gets not the perfect love which ought to be
The guerdon and the bliss of wife's estate.
For while he gently kisses her fond lips,
It is another face that meets his gaze;
And he is stung by words of love or praise
Which the truth known would darken with eclipse.
It is another face that meets his gaze;
And he is stung by words of love or praise
Which the truth known would darken with eclipse.
O sorrow and shame! that, while he lies beside
The trusting one, he in the silence hears
His heart throb for the love of other years,
And calm to her whom he has made his bride.
The trusting one, he in the silence hears
His heart throb for the love of other years,
And calm to her whom he has made his bride.
| The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith | |