Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WERE I BUT HIS OWN WIFE, by ELLEN MARY PATRICK DOWNING Poet's Biography First Line: Were I but his own wife, to guard and to guide him Last Line: To rise like the morning star, darling for you! Alternate Author Name(s): Mary Of The Nation Subject(s): Love - Marital; Marriage; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
WERE I but his own wife, to guard and to guide him, 'T is little of sorrow should fall on my dear; I'd chant my low love-verses, stealing beside him, So faint and so tender his heart would but hear; I'd pull the wild blossoms from valley and highland; And there at his feet I would lay them all down; I'd sing him the songs of our poor stricken island, Till his heart was on fire with a love like my own. There's a rose by his dwelling -- I'd tend the lone treasure, That he might have flowers when the summer would come; There's a harp in his hall -- I would wake its sweet measure, For he must have music to brighten his home. Were I but his own wife, to guide and to guard him, 'T is little of sorrow should fall on my dear; For every kind glance my whole life would award him -- In sickness I'd soothe and in sadness I'd cheer. My heart is a fount welling upward for ever, When I think of my true-love, by night or by day; That heart keeps its faith like a fast-flowing river Which gushes for ever and sings on its way. I have thoughts full of peace for his soul to repose in, Were I but his own wife, to win and to woo -- Oh, sweet, if the night of misfortune were closing, To rise like the morning star, darling for you! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV MY OWEN by ELLEN MARY PATRICK DOWNING |
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