Poems (Blagden)/To dear old bushie

by Isa Blagden

TO DEAR OLD BUSHIE, FROM ONE WHO LOVED HER.

I.

Much loving and much loved, dare I
 With my weak faltering praise
Record thy pure fidelity,
 Thy patient loving ways:

II.

Thy wistful, eager, gasping sighs,
 Our sullen sense to reach;
The solemn meanings of thine eyes,
 More clear than uttered speech:

III.

Thy silent sympathy with tears,
 Thy joy our joys to share,
In weal and woe through all these years
 Our treasure and our care;

IV.

Thy dumb adoring gratitude,
 Noble, yet tender too,
Respondent to each varied mood,
 Not human, but more true?

V.

They say we are not kin to thee,
 Thy race unlike our own,—
Oh that our human friends could be
 Like thee, thou faithful one!

VI.

The wondrous privilege of love,
 Love perfect and entire,
Was thine, true heart; to nought above
 Can human hearts aspire!

VII.

From all our lives, some faith, some trust,
 With thy dear life is o'er;
A lifelong love lies in thy dust;
 Can human grave hide more?