Poems (Procter)/Waiting
For works with similar titles, see Waiting.
WAITING.
HEREFORE dwell so sad and lonely By the desolate sea-shore,With the melancholy surges Beating at your cottage door?"You shall dwell beside the castle Shadowed by our ancient trees;And your life shall pass on gently, Cared for, and in rest and ease."
"Lady, one who loved me dearly Sailed for distant lands away;And I wait here his returning Hopefully from day to day.
"To my door I bring my spinning, Watching every ship I see;Waiting, hoping, till the sunset Fades into the western sea.
"After sunset, at my casement, Still I place a signal light;He will see its well-known shining Should his ship return at night,
"Lady, see your infant smiling, With its flaxen curling hair,—I remember when your mother Was a baby just as fair.
"I was watching then, and hoping: Years have brought great change to allyTo my neighbors in their cottage, To you nobles at the hall.
"Not to me,—for I am waiting, And the years have fled so fast,I must look at you to tell me That a weary time has past!
"When I hear a footstep coming On the shingle—years have fled—Yet amid a thousand others, I shall know his quick, light tread.
"When I hear (to-night it may be) Some one pausing at my door,I shall know the gay, soft accents, Heard and welcomed oft before!
"So each day I am more hopeful, He may come before the night;Every sunset I feel surer He must come ere morning light.
"Then I thank you, noble lady, But I cannot do your will:Where he left me he must find me, Waiting, watching, hoping, still!"