The Return.
Reading edition
Three years! I wonder if she'll know me? I limp a little, and I left one arm At Petersburg; and I am grown as brown As the plump chestnuts on my little farm: And I'm as shaggy as the chestnut burrs-- But ripe and sweet within, and wholly hers.
The darling! how I long to see her! My heart outruns this feeble soldier pace, For I remember, after I had left, A little Charlie came to take my place. Ah! how the laughing, three-year old, brown eyes-- His mother's eyes--will stare with pleased surprise!
Surely, they will be at the corner watching! I sent them word that I should come to-night: The birds all know it, for they crowd around, Twittering their welcome with a wild delight; And that old robin, with a halting wing-- I saved her life, three years ago last spring.
Three years! perhaps I am but dreaming! For, like the pilgrim of the long ago, I've tugged, a weary burden at my back, Through summer's heat and winter's blinding snow; Till now, I reach my home, my darling's breast, There I can roll my burden off, and rest.
When morning came, the early rising sun Laid his light fingers on a soldier sleeping-- Where a soft covering of bright green grass Over two mounds was lightly creeping; But waked him not: his was the rest eternal, Where the brown eyes reflected love supernal.