Thus, Mary, have I twin’d a wreath for thee,
And on thy locks the birthday garland set,
And kept my promise. Let us also see
Thy sacred promise find fulfilment meet.
Promise was made, when water bath’d thy brow,
Renew’d, when hands were laid upon thy head—
O keep it well, that sacred promise, now!
O keep the words that may not be unsaid!
And lovely too the promise of thy youth,—
O may’st thou keep that promise unto age!—
Full of ideal Beauty and of Truth,
Thou springest forth upon thy pilgrimage.—
O doom’d, as all are doom’d, to learn and know,
That life is other far than life should be,
I dare not wish thee, all exempt from woe,
A golden day and peaceful hours to see.
The cross hath on thy forehead been impress’d,
And thou must bear it stedfast to the end,
Stilling the conflicts of the struggling breast,
Doing and suffering what God shall send.
Thus, though much needing counsel, I advise—
O could I mine own lessons learn aright!
Tott’ring my feet, and dizzy are mine eyes,
And yet to others’ steps I hold a light.
H
