Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/317

Rh We are well alone— Are we not, darling ? Thanks for the calm content Wherewith thou biddest him farewell, to nestle Once more in mine embrace. Not long, I feel, May these old horny eyes be blest with sight Of thy full-flowering grace, these wrinkled lips Be pressed against thy brow. I am no more What I have been ; at times both hand and brain Refuse their task. Myself will follow soon The better part of me already dead. So the worm claims us by slow torture, child. Thou It bear with me, if as to-day I wrong Thy gentle spirit ?

Father, no more, no more ! You break my heart.

Mine angel-child, weep not So bitterly. I thought not thus to move thee. Still thou art overwrought. I would have asked At last a promise of thee. I am selfish, But I would sleep less startingly o nights, And bear a calmer soul by day, were I secure That thou wilt bide with me until the end. [A pause.