Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/831

 HELEN SELINA, LADY DUFFERIN 1807-1867

'M sittin' on the stile, Mary, &emsp;Where we sat side by side On a bright May mornin' long ago, &emsp;When first you were my bride; The corn was springin' fresh and green, &emsp;And the lark sang loud and high&mdash; And the red was on your lip, Mary, &emsp;And the love-light in your eye.

The place is little changed, Mary, &emsp;The day is bright as then, The lark's loud song is in my ear, &emsp;And the corn is green again; But I miss the soft clasp of your hand, &emsp;And your breath warm on my cheek, And I still keep listening for the words &emsp;You never more will speak.

'Tis but a step down yonder lane, &emsp;And the little church stands near, The church where we were wed, Mary, &emsp;I see the spire from here. But the graveyard lies between, Mary, &emsp;And my step might break your rest&mdash; For I've laid you, darling! down to sleep, &emsp;With your baby on your breast. 805