A STORY OF OLDEN TIME.
27
So spake the Lady Maude, and fast her tears fell down like rain:
"Ten long—ten silent years my breast hath striven with this pain,
And flung it oft' a while, then ta'en the weary load again;
Ten years—ten years that I have lived the noble Guilbert's wife,
Have crept uncheered by look of love, unmarked by word of strife;
Within the house an honoured dame—a lady unreproved,
Within the heart a slighted wife—a woman unbeloved!
Long, long ago, I thought this woe would cease, or I should prove
How patient grief wins quietness, how patient love wins love;
Long, long ago, I thought this woe would cease, or I should be
Love-lifted up to happy life, death-gathered to the free.
The smile of love, the smile of death, oh! wondrous sweet they be,
The brethren's and the father's kiss, and neither were for me.
"Ten long—ten silent years my breast hath striven with this pain,
And flung it oft' a while, then ta'en the weary load again;
Ten years—ten years that I have lived the noble Guilbert's wife,
Have crept uncheered by look of love, unmarked by word of strife;
Within the house an honoured dame—a lady unreproved,
Within the heart a slighted wife—a woman unbeloved!
Long, long ago, I thought this woe would cease, or I should prove
How patient grief wins quietness, how patient love wins love;
Long, long ago, I thought this woe would cease, or I should be
Love-lifted up to happy life, death-gathered to the free.
The smile of love, the smile of death, oh! wondrous sweet they be,
The brethren's and the father's kiss, and neither were for me.
"The brethren's and the father's love; oh! Father, having Thine,
And can we seek aught else for joy, or in our sadness pine
And can we seek aught else for joy, or in our sadness pine
