Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/131

 A tear sprang as she turned and viewed His features free from guile; She kissed him long, as when, just wooed. She chose his domicile. Death menaced now; yet loss for life She wished than that she were the wife That she had been erstwhile.

Time wore to six. Her husband rose And struck the steel and stone; He glanced at Jenny, whose repose Seemed deeper than his own. With dumb dismay, on closer sight, He gathered sense that in the night, Or morn, her soul had flown.

When told that some too mighty strain For one so many-yeared Had burst her bosom's master-vein, His doubts remained unstirred. His Jenny had not left his side Betwixt the eve and morning-tide: —The King's said not a word.