Lines To My Wife.
Reading edition
BY GEO. W. H. HARRISON.
Years and years have passed away Since last we met, my darling wife;
Oft have I felt the tooth of pain Gnaw at the vitals of my life.
The brow thy hand has oft caressed With such sweet, hypnotic power,
The lines of care and grief has traced And wrinkled, like a withered flower.
The dark brown locks you loved so well, Now interspersed with silver thread,
Shows plainly that the march of time Has left its footprints on my head.
The deep gray eyes that once could flash With passion's fire, or melt in love,
Have lost the wanted fires of youth, Like some poor offcast, limpsy glove.
Yet in my breast there beats a heart That never will nor can grow old;
Thy image keeps its pulses warm With love that never shall grow cold.
Thy grace and beauty won that heart Long years ago, when thou wert young:
Thy gentle, generous, faithful care Has bred a love I cannot tongue.
Heaven can grant no sweeter bliss, To crown the evening of my life,
Than Iulu's sweet, enraptured kiss, When time restores me to my wife.