Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 1.djvu/212

152 "What days and what sweet years! Ah me!

Our life were life indeed, with thee

So passed in quiet bliss,

And all the while," said he, "to know

That we were in a world of woe,

On such an earth as this!"

And then he sometimes interwove

Dear thoughts about a Father's love,

"For there," said he, "are spun

Around the heart such tender ties,

That our own children to our eyes

Are dearer than the sun.

"Sweet Ruth! and could you go with me

My helpmate in the woods to be,

Our shed at night to rear;

Or run, my own adopted Bride,

A sylvan Huntress at my side,

And drive the flying deer!

"Beloved Ruth!"—No more he said.

Sweet Ruth alone at midnight shed

A solitary tear: