THE HUSBAND SPEAKS.

Dearest, though I have sung a many songs,

Yet have I never sung one from my heart,

Save to thee only — and such private songs

Are as the silent, secret kiss of Love!

My heart, I say, so sacred was, and is,

I kept, I keep it, from all eyes but thine,

Because it is no longer mine, but thine,

Given thee forever, when I gave myself

That winter morning — was it years ago?

To me it seems the dream of yesterday!

You have not lost the face I married then,

Albeit a trifle paler — not to-night —

Nor I the eyes that saw then, and see still,

What every man should see in her he weds!

I wander... wisely, let me, since my words

Conceal what none but you and I should know,—

The love I bear you, who have been, and are

Strong in the strength and weakness of your sex —

Queen of my household, mistress of my heart,

My children's mother, and my always friend;

In one word, Sweet, sweetest of all words — Wife!