University of Virginia Library

Past is the honeymoon; and I think it was not so good
As the home-coming together, in quiet, thoughtful mood.
Then our life truly began: it was like a dream before—
A dream in a boat, while the pale moon glimmered from sea to shore,
And we went swaying about still under the stars, and heard
Dreamily plashing billow, and dreamily whispered word.
Why should we go a-jaunting when the heart just wants to repose
From agitation of bliss, and to know whereto it grows?
Nothing felt real to me then, or brought me the feeling of rest,
As we sped hither and thither, like birds flying far from the nest,
Hid in the bosk of the greenwood, where they are longing to be,
And cosy and warm, and sweet with the scent of the sheltering tree.
I did not like then to say it, because all his plans had been laid
To visit some beautiful spot which poets had famous made,
Or to look on some ancient Abbey that sweetly went down to decay,
Wrapt in the ivy green, amid trees in the lichen grey,
And all with me there beside him, he said, to brighten the view,
And bathe it for him in a light which for ever would make it new.
Therefore my voice was silent; but oh, how I wearied to see
The house-fire which love was to kindle, the home where my life was to be!
For all the pert maids at the inns where we hoped for a little to hide,
Scanning my bonnets and dresses, would smirk at the new-made bride;
Scarcely a railway porter but knew my trunks to be out
Fresh on a marriage trip, and led me, blushing, about,
While Claud was looking so handsome and self-possessed, like a king,
Proud and tender and ready, and seeing to everything.
It is not nice to be stared at by everyone that you meet,
As they smile and whisper together, and scan you from head to feet.
I knew not the rest of love till we sat in our little white room,
Close together, and watched the stars coming out of the gloom,
In the hush of a raptured moment, his strong arm clasping me round,
As on his bosom I leant to feel all the peace I had found;
And he said, “We will fold our wings now, for here I have made you a nest,
And lined it warm with the down of the love that warms my breast.”
Oh, he can say such things! And I cannot say them to him;
I am quietest when I am gladdest; but my heart was filled to the brim.
Just a moment before, and my trembling would not cease,
But now the shiver was stilled in a thrill of bliss and peace.