第 6 节
作者:
大热 更新:2022-11-23 12:13 字数:9322
look; and wait Watching the three children at their play。
But they always shrank away from her When she strove to comfort
their alarms; And their grave; cold silence to beguile: Even little Olga's
baby…smile Quivered into tears when in her arms。
I could never chide them: for I saw How their mother's memory
grew more deep In their hearts。 Each night I had to tell Stories of her
whom I loved so well When a child; to send them off to sleep。
But Sir ArthurOh; this was too hard! … He; who had been always
stern and sad In my lady's time; seemed to rejoice Each day more; and I
could hear his voice Even; sounding younger and more glad。
He might perhaps have blamed them; but his wife Never failed to take
the children's part: She would stay him with her pleading tone; Saying she
would strive; and strive alone; Till she gained each little wayward heart。
And she strove indeed; and seemed to be Always waiting for their love;
in vain; Yet; when May had most her mother's look; Then the lady's calm;
cold accents shook With some memory of reproachful pain。
Little May would never call her Mother: So; one day; the lady; bending
low; Kissed her golden curls; and softly said; 〃Sweet one; call me
Margaret; instead; … Your dear mother used to call me so。〃
She was gentle; kind; and patient too; Yet in vain: the children held
apart。 Ah; their mother's gentle memory dwelt Near them; and her little
orphans felt She had the first claim upon their heart。
So three years passed; then the war broke out; And a rumour seemed to
spread and rise; First we guessed what sorrow must befall; Then all doubt
fled; for we read it all In the depths of her despairing eyes。
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Yes; Sir Arthur had been called away To that scene of slaughter; fear;
and strife; … Now he seemed to know with double pain; The cold; bitter
gulf that must remain To divide his children from his wife。
Nearer came the day he was to sail; Deeper grew the coming woe and
fear; When; one night; the children at my knee Knelt to say their evening
prayer to me; I looked up and saw Sir Arthur near。
There they knelt with folded hands; and said Low; soft words in
stammering accents sweet; In the firelight shone their golden hair And
white robes: my darlings looked so fair; With their little bare and rosy
feet!
There he waited till their low 〃Amen;〃 Stopped the rosy lips raised for
〃Good night!〃 … Drew them with a fond clasp; close and near; As he bade
them stay with him; and hear Something that would make his heart more
light。
Little Olga crept into his arms; Arthur leant upon his shoulder; May
Knelt beside him; with her earnest eyes Lifted up in patient; calm surprise
… I can almost hear his words to…day。
〃Years ago; my children; years ago; When your mother was a child;
she came From her northern home; and here she met Love for love; and
comfort for regret; In one early friend;you know her name。
〃And this frienda few years oldergave Such fond care; such love;
that day by day The new home grew happy; joy complete; Studies easier;
and play more sweet; While all childish sorrows passed away。
〃And your motherfragile; like my May … Leant on this deep love;
nor leant in vain。 For this friend (strong; generous; noble heart!) Gave the
sweet; and took the bitter part; … Brought her all the joy; and kept the pain。
〃Years passed on; and then I saw them first: It was hard to say which
was most fair; Your sweet mother's bright and blushing face; Or the graver
Margaret's stately grace; Golden locks; or braided raven hair。
〃Then it happened; by a strange; sad fate; One thought entered into
each young soul: Joy for oneif for the other pain; Loss for oneif for the
other gain: One must lose; and one possess the whole。
〃And so thisthiswhat they cared forcame And belonged to
Margaret: was her own。 But she laid the gift aside; to take Pain and
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sorrow for your mother's sake; And none knew it but herself alone。
〃Then she travelled far away; and none The strange mystery of her
absence knew。 Margaret's secret thought was never told: Even your mother
thought her changed and cold; And for many years I thought so too。
〃She was gone; and then your mother took That poor gift which
Margaret laid aside: Flower; or toy; or trinket; matters not: What it was had
better be forgot 。 。 。 It was just then she became my bride。
〃Now; I think May knows the hope I have。 Arthur; darling; can you
guess the rest? Even my little Olga understands Great gifts can be given
by little hands; Since of all gifts Love is still the best。
〃Margaret is my dear and honoured wife; And I hold her so。 But she
can claim From your hearts; dear ones; a loving debt I can neither pay; nor
yet forget: You can give it in your mother's name。
〃Earth spoils even Love; and here a shade On the purest; noblest heart
may fall: Now your mother dwells in perfect light; She will bless us; I
believe; to…night; … She is happy now; and she knows all。〃
Next day was farewella day of tears; Yet Sir Arthur; as he rode away;
And turned back to see his lady stand With the children clinging to her
hand; Looked as if it were a happy day。
Ah; they loved her soon! The little one Crept into her arms as to a
nest; Arthur always with her now; and May Growing nearer to her every
day: … … Well; I loved my own dear lady best。
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VERSE: GIVE PLACE
Starry Crowns of Heaven Set in azure night! Linger yet a little Ere you
hide your light:… … Nay; let Starlight fade away Heralding the day!
Snowflakes pure and spotless; Still; oh; still remain; Binding dreary
winter; In your silver chain:… … Nay; but melt at once and bring Radiant
sunny Spring!
Blossoms; gentle blossoms; Do not wither yet; Still for you the sun
shines; Still the dews are wet: … … Nay; but fade and wither last; Fruit
must come at last!
Joy; so true and tender; Dare you not abide? Will you spread your
pinions; Must you leave our side? … Nay; an Angel's shining grace Waits to
fill your place!
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VERSE: MY WILL
Since I have no lands or houses; And no hoarded golden store; What
can I leave those who love me When they see my face no more? Do not
smile; I am not jesting; Though my words sound gay and light; Listen to
me; dearest Alice; I will make my Will to…night。
First for Mabelwho will never Let the dust of future years Dim the
thought of me; but keep it Brighter still: perhaps with tears。 In whose
eyes; whate'er I glance at; Touch; or praise; will always shine; Through a
strange and sacred radiance; By Love's Charter; wholly mine; She will
never lend to others Slenderest link of thought I claim; I will; therefore; to
her keeping Leave my memory and my name。
Bertha will do truer service To her kind than I have done; So I leave to
her young spirit The long Work I have begun。 Well! the threads are tangled;
broken; And the colours do not blend; She will bend her earnest striving
Both to finish and amend: And; when it is all completed; Strong with care
and rich with skill; Just because my hands began it; She will love it better
still。
Ruth shall have my dearest token; The one link I dread to break; The
one duty that I live for; She; when I am gone; will take。 Sacred is the trust
I leave her; Needing patience; prayer; and tears; I have striven to fulfil it;
As she knowsthese many years。 Sometimes hopeless; faint; and weary
Yet a blessing shall remain With the task; and Ruth will prize it For my
many hours of pain。
What must