SONG OF THE DYING OLD MAN TO HIS YOUNG WIFE.
I clank'd the rusted fetter-links with white ribs hard and dry,
Till I had scared the owls away, and then away went I.
Till I had scared the owls away, and then away went I.
From East to West, from North to South, a roving life is mine;
Now howling round the snow-topp'd fir, now toying with the vine;
From beggar's rags to prince's robes, from hut to court I go;
I rule the golden clouds above, and drive the waves below.
Now howling round the snow-topp'd fir, now toying with the vine;
From beggar's rags to prince's robes, from hut to court I go;
I rule the golden clouds above, and drive the waves below.
Away! away! I cannot stay, I hear the ploughboy's song—
But I can chant as carelessly and whistle just as long:
It comes again—up, up, my wings! the saucy loon shall find
He hath a goodly challenger in me, the angry Wind.
But I can chant as carelessly and whistle just as long:
It comes again—up, up, my wings! the saucy loon shall find
He hath a goodly challenger in me, the angry Wind.
SONG OF THE DYING OLD MAN TO HIS YOUNG WIFE.
Kate, there's a trembling at my heart, a coldness on my brow,
My sight is dim, my breath is faint, I feel I'm dying now;
But ere my vision fadeth quite, ere all of strength be o'er;
Oh! let me look into thy face and press thy hand once more.
My sight is dim, my breath is faint, I feel I'm dying now;
But ere my vision fadeth quite, ere all of strength be o'er;
Oh! let me look into thy face and press thy hand once more.
I would my latest glance should fall on what I hold most dear;
But, ah! thy cheek is wet again—wipe, wipe away the tear.
Such tears of late have often gemm'd thy drooping eyelids' fringe;
Such tears of late have wash'd away thy young cheek's ruddy tinge.
But, ah! thy cheek is wet again—wipe, wipe away the tear.
Such tears of late have often gemm'd thy drooping eyelids' fringe;
Such tears of late have wash'd away thy young cheek's ruddy tinge.
I brought thee from a simple home to be an old man's bride;
Thou wert the altar where I laid affection, joy, and pride;
My heart's devotion, like the sun, shone forth with glowing power,
And kept its brightest glory rays to mark its setting hour.
Thou wert the altar where I laid affection, joy, and pride;
My heart's devotion, like the sun, shone forth with glowing power,
And kept its brightest glory rays to mark its setting hour.
I brought thee from a simple home, when early friends had met;
And something fill'd thy farewell tone that whisper'd of regret:
Oh! could I wonder—when you left warm spirits like your own,
To dwell upon far distant earth, with Age and Wealth alone.
And something fill'd thy farewell tone that whisper'd of regret:
Oh! could I wonder—when you left warm spirits like your own,
To dwell upon far distant earth, with Age and Wealth alone.
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