Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WERE I BUT HIS OWN WIFE, by ELLEN MARY PATRICK DOWNING


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WERE I BUT HIS OWN WIFE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Were I but his own wife, to guard and to guide him
Last Line: To rise like the morning star, darling for you!
Alternate Author Name(s): Mary Of The Nation
Subject(s): Love - Marital; Marriage; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


WERE I but his own wife, to guard and to guide him,
'T is little of sorrow should fall on my dear;
I'd chant my low love-verses, stealing beside him,
So faint and so tender his heart would but hear;
I'd pull the wild blossoms from valley and highland;
And there at his feet I would lay them all down;
I'd sing him the songs of our poor stricken island,
Till his heart was on fire with a love like my own.
There's a rose by his dwelling -- I'd tend the lone treasure,
That he might have flowers when the summer would come;
There's a harp in his hall -- I would wake its sweet measure,
For he must have music to brighten his home.
Were I but his own wife, to guide and to guard him,
'T is little of sorrow should fall on my dear;
For every kind glance my whole life would award him --
In sickness I'd soothe and in sadness I'd cheer.
My heart is a fount welling upward for ever,
When I think of my true-love, by night or by day;
That heart keeps its faith like a fast-flowing river
Which gushes for ever and sings on its way.
I have thoughts full of peace for his soul to repose in,
Were I but his own wife, to win and to woo --
Oh, sweet, if the night of misfortune were closing,
To rise like the morning star, darling for you!




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