SIT still -- a word -- a breath may break (As light airs stir a sleeping lake,) The glassy calm that soothes my woes, The sweet, the deep, the full repose. O leave me not! for ever be Thus, more than life itself to me! Yes, close beside thee, let me kneel -- Give me thy hand that I may feel The friend so true -- so tried -- so dear, My heart's own chosen -- indeed is near; And check me not -- this hour divine Belongs to me -- is fully mine. 'Tis thy own hearth thou sitt'st beside, After long absence -- wandering wide; 'Tis thy own wife reads in thine eyes, A promise clear of stormless skies, For faith and true love light the rays, Which shine responsive to her gaze. Aye, -- well that single tear may fall; Ten thousand might mine eyes recall, Which from their lids, ran blinding fast, In hours of grief, yet scarcely past, Well may'st thou speak of love to me; For, oh! most truly -- I love thee! Yet smile -- for we are happy now. Whence, then, that sadness on thy brow? What say'st thou? " We must once again, Ere long, be severed by the main? " I knew not this -- I deemed no more, Thy step would err from Britain's shore. " Duty commands?" 'Tis true -- 'tis just; Thy slightest word I wholly trust, Nor by request, nor faintest sigh Would I, to turn thy purpose, try; But, William -- hear my solemn vow -- Hear and confirm! -- with thee I go. " Distance and suffering," did'st thou say? " Danger by night, and toil by day?" Oh, idle words, and vain are these; Hear me! I cross with thee the seas. Such risk as thou must meet and dare, I -- thy true wife -- will duly share. Passive, at home, I will not pine; Thy toils -- thy perils, shall be mine; Grant this -- and be hereafter paid By a warm heart's devoted aid: 'Tis granted -- with that yielding kiss, Entered my soul unmingled bliss. Thanks, William -- thanks! thy love has joy, Pure -- undefiled with base alloy; 'Tis not a passion, false and blind, Inspires, enchains, absorbs my mind; Worthy, I feel, art thou to be Loved with my perfect energy. This evening, now, shall sweetly flow, Lit by our clear fire's happy glow; | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WOMAN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL PATRIOTISM AND FREEDOM by JOANNA BAILLIE WRITTEN AT SEA by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 7 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH ON SCARING SOME WATERFOWL IN LOCH-TURIT by ROBERT BURNS DAY IS DONE by CHARLES V. CALDWELL |