Wife! long true to me,
Through good and ill:
Hear my confession,
And love me still!
I was not false, dear,
When, years ago,
Thinking I loved you,
I told you so.
Yet, my gift to you
I lived to see
Was not fair payment
For yours to me.
You did not know it;
You guessed not how
I was your debtor,—
As I am now.
I dare not own it,
This later day,
Were I not able
Some part to pay.
Watching together
Here, by this bed,
Where, softly pillowed,
Lies one bright head;
Smiling together
On other face,
Pressed to your bosom—
Its rightful place.
Thus, dear, I venture
To whisper this,—
Now that I give you
A whole-heart kiss.
Now that—God helping—
I am to you
Husband more worthy,
Lover more true.