 | Poems |  |
A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
My darling! my darling! the midnight is here,
To stifle and tempt me with longing and fear:
I hear through the darkness thy sweet little voice,
Like birds in their nest that in slumber rejoice.
To stifle and tempt me with longing and fear:
I hear through the darkness thy sweet little voice,
Like birds in their nest that in slumber rejoice.
My darling! my darling! a long night hath come,
I am straying alone in the ashes of home,
Its echoes of love and their answers of peace,
All voices that blessed me in solitude cease.
I am straying alone in the ashes of home,
Its echoes of love and their answers of peace,
All voices that blessed me in solitude cease.
I gave them my life as the Father gives air;
I gave them my love without stint or compare.
They used them,—and left me to die by the way!
My darling, my love! thou art kinder than they
I gave them my love without stint or compare.
They used them,—and left me to die by the way!
My darling, my love! thou art kinder than they
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From thee in thy blossom the sweetness of dawn,
Its truth and its perfume no grief hath withdrawn
Thou lovest for love's sake, not duty nor gain;
Life hath not defiled thee, nor trouble, nor pain.
Its truth and its perfume no grief hath withdrawn
Thou lovest for love's sake, not duty nor gain;
Life hath not defiled thee, nor trouble, nor pain.
Ah! would that together in some quiet grave,
Or deep in the ocean's long sorrowing wave,
Thy tiny arms around me, thy head on my breast,
We two lay forever in passionless rest.
Or deep in the ocean's long sorrowing wave,
Thy tiny arms around me, thy head on my breast,
We two lay forever in passionless rest.
In the night and the day-time I long for thy face:
I dream that thou liest at rest in thy place;
I waken and call thee with piteous prayer:
My darling! my darling! why art thou not there?
I dream that thou liest at rest in thy place;
I waken and call thee with piteous prayer:
My darling! my darling! why art thou not there?
Oh God, when Thou judgest the false and the true!
When the anguish and passion of living are through;
I ask of Thy mercy to give me above
This baby who only hath answered my love!
When the anguish and passion of living are through;
I ask of Thy mercy to give me above
This baby who only hath answered my love!
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