Page:Poems Hornblower.djvu/82

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70

In this sweet trust her opening days were blessed,
And joyously she hailed her coming years,
For well she knew that even if distressed,
There would he one kind hand to dry her tears.

He left her—and in trouble she awoke
From her young dream of bliss, but murmured not
Over her secret sufferings,nor spoke
To any one upon her cruel lot;
You would have deemed that he had been forgot,
Or that her heart was callous to the stroke;
But on her cheek there was one hectic spot—
'T was little—but it told her heart was broke!

And deeper and more deep the painful flush
Daily became, but all distress seemed o'er,
Save when the life-blood gave a sudden rush,
Then faded into paleness as before;
At once too proud, too humble to deplore,
She bowed her head in quietness:—she knew
Her faded prospects could revive no more,
Yet was she calm, for she had heaven in view.

She loved and she forgave him—and in dying
She asked a blessing on his future years;
And so she went to sleep, meekly relying
Upon that Power which shall efface all tears.—