And the kine's keeper, came They stood with tender thoughts, Ill knows, the joy that sinks- Ages have fled since then: But deem not my pierced trunk And scanty leafage serve And there hath pass'd from me Into the minds of men: Womanhood's years have been only a dream. Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace, With your light lashes just sweeping my face, Yet, with strong yearning and pas-Never hereafter to wake or to weep; sionate pain, Long I to-night for your presence i again. Rock me to sleep, mother, -rock me to sleep! UNTIL DEATH. MAKE me no vows of constancy, dear friend, To love me, though I die, thy whole life long, And love no other till thy days shall end; Nay, it were rash and wrong. If thou canst love another, be it so; I would not reach out of my quiet grave To bind thy heart, if it should choose to go: Love should not be a slave. |