184
LOOKING EAST.
Weeping thy living—Rise, be adorning
Thy brows, unwidowed, with smiles."—But how?
Thy brows, unwidowed, with smiles."—But how?
O, had he married me!—unto anguish,
Hardship, sickness, peril, and pain;
That on my breast his head might languish
In lonely jungle or scorching plain;
Hardship, sickness, peril, and pain;
That on my breast his head might languish
In lonely jungle or scorching plain;
O, had we stood on some rampart gory,
Till he—ere Horror behind us trod—
Kissed me, and killed me—so, with his glory
My soul went happy and pure to God!
Till he—ere Horror behind us trod—
Kissed me, and killed me—so, with his glory
My soul went happy and pure to God!
Nay, nay, Heaven pardon me! me, sick-hearted,
Living this long, long life-in-death:
Many there are far wider parted
Who under one roof-tree breathe one breath.
Living this long, long life-in-death:
Many there are far wider parted
Who under one roof-tree breathe one breath.
But we that loved—whom one word half broken
Had drawn together close soul to soul
As lip to lip—and it was not spoken,
Nor may be while the world's ages roll.
Had drawn together close soul to soul
As lip to lip—and it was not spoken,
Nor may be while the world's ages roll.
I sit me down with my tears all frozen:
I drink my cup, be it gall or wine:
For I know, if he lives, I am his chosen—
I know, if he dies, that he is mine.
I drink my cup, be it gall or wine:
For I know, if he lives, I am his chosen—
I know, if he dies, that he is mine.
