A MAN'S WOOING.
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Not one whose noble life and pure
Had power so to control
To tender humblest loyalty
Her free, but reverent soul,
Had power so to control
To tender humblest loyalty
Her free, but reverent soul,
That she beside him gladly moved
As sovereign and slave;
In faith unfettered, homage true,
Each claiming what each gave.
As sovereign and slave;
In faith unfettered, homage true,
Each claiming what each gave.
And then you dropped your eyelids white,
And stood in maiden bloom
Proud, calm:—unloving and unloved
Descending to the tomb.
And stood in maiden bloom
Proud, calm:—unloving and unloved
Descending to the tomb.
I let you speak and ne'er replied;
I watched you for a space,
Until that passionate glow, like youth,
Had faded from your face.
I watched you for a space,
Until that passionate glow, like youth,
Had faded from your face.
No anger showed I—nor complaint:
My heart's beats shook no breath,
Although I knew that I had found
Her, who brings life or death;
My heart's beats shook no breath,
Although I knew that I had found
Her, who brings life or death;
The woman, true as life or death;
The love, strong as these twain,
Against which seas of mortal fate
Beat harmlessly in vain.
The love, strong as these twain,
Against which seas of mortal fate
Beat harmlessly in vain.
