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Ah me! from lower cares of earth
By such a mate redeemed,
What I have hoped, to body forth,
To do what I have dreamed!
O for a soul by thee imbued
With energies severe,
To hold the faith in fortitude,
Until the darkness clear.
What were a life, thou looking on!
The dagger of thy tear
The goad,—a smile of thine the crown
Of the immense career!
O rather for the gloomy days
Of ordinary life,
Enlightened by thy love, thy praise,
A sympathising wife:
By the pure privilege of love
The inner strife to see,
When angels bring from realms above
Some tear-crowned victory;
