IT is near morning. Ere the next night fall I shall be made the bride of heaven. Then home To my still marriage chamber I shall come, And spouseless, childless, watch the slow years crawl. These lips will never meet a softer touch Than the stone crucifix I kiss; no child Will clasp this neck. Ah, virgin-mother mild, Thy painted bliss will mock me overmuch. This is the last time I shall twist the hair My mother's hand wreathed, till in dust she lay: The name, her name, given on my baptism-day, This is the last time I shall ever bear. O weary world, O heavy life, farewell! Like a tired child that creeps into the dark To sob itself asleep, where none will mark, -- So creep I to my silent convent cell. Friends, lovers whom I loved not, kindly hearts Who grieve that I should enter this still door, Grieve not. Closing behind me evermore, Me from all anguish, as all joy, it parts. Love, whom alone I loved; who stand'st far off, Lifting compassionate eyes that could not save, Remember, this my spirit's quiet grave Hides me from worldly pity, worldly scoff. 'T was less thy hand than Heaven's which came between, And dashed my cup down. See, I shed no tears: And if I think at all of vanished years, 'T is but to bless thee, dear, for what has been. My soul continually does cry to thee; In the night-watches ghost-like stealing out From its flesh tomb, and hovering thee about; So live that I in heaven thy face may see! Live, noble heart, of whom this heart of mine Was half unworthy. Build up actions great, That I down looking from the crystal gate Smile o'er our dead hopes urned in such a shrine. Live, keeping aye they spirit undefiled, That, when we stand before our Master's feet, I with an angel's love may crown complete The woman's faith, the worship of the child. Dawn, solemn bridal morn; ope, bridal door; I enter. My vowed soul may Heaven take; My heart its virgin spousal for thy sake; O love, keeps sacred thus forevermore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: CONVOY ESCORT by RUDYARD KIPLING THE GREAT FIGURE by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS COURAGE THAT OVERCOMES by MARGARETE ROSE AKIN SHE BEGINING TO STUDY PHISICK ... FALLS INTO A DEGRESSION ON ANATOMY by JANE BARKER LINES WRITTEN ON WINDOWS OF THE GLOBE INN, DUMFRIES by ROBERT BURNS A MARSH MESSAGE by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON THE LORDS' MASQUE: FIRST DANCE by THOMAS CAMPION SEVEN SONNETS ON THE THOUGHT OF DEATH: 6 by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH |