University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
  
collapse sectionI. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
collapse sectionII. 
  
  
  
HOPE DEFERRED.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse sectionIII. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse sectionIV. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
collapse sectionV. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


38

HOPE DEFERRED.

[_]

Air.Oh! art thou gone, my Mary dear?

I

'Tis long since we were forced to part, at least it seems so to my grief,
For sorrow wearies us like time, but ah! it brings not time's relief;
As in our days of tenderness, before me still she seems to glide;
And, though my arms are wide as then, yet she will not abide.
The day-light and the star-light shine, as if her eyes were in their light,
And, whispering in the panting breeze, her love-songs come at lonely night;
While, far away with those less dear, she tries to hide her grief in vain,
For, kind to all while true to me, it pains her to give pain.

II

I know she never spoke her love, she never breathed a single vow,
And yet I'm sure she loved me then, and still doats on me now;

39

For, when we met, her eyes grew glad, and heavy when I left her side,
And oft she said she'd be most happy as a poor man's bride;
I toiled to win a pleasant home, and make it ready by the spring;
The spring is past—what season now my girl unto our home will bring?
I'm sick and weary, very weary—watching, morning, night, and noon;
How long you're coming—I am dying—will you not come soon?