Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-10-14
THE NEW WIFE AND THE OLD

mpton, y. H., is one of the Oldest set,len
England Ii has, perhaps, more than its shar,
anecdcte, in which the celebrated Gen. NJ
iust-is a celebrated character. The legend
was related 10 me when n child, by 4 "
visitant.
hampton's woods are still tonight,
As yon spire which breaks the light
vi the half-faced moon. No breeze
Bears the murmur Of the sens
From the long white beach or waves
Film leaves DER the village graves.
From the brief dream Of bride,
She hath Weakened at his side.
WIN haii-ui'ered shrek and start
GELS she not his breathing heartl
AND ihe pressure Of his arm,
And his breathing near and warm
Lightly from the bridal bed
springs that fair dishcyeled head;
And, feeling new. intense,
HAL Of shame, half innocence.
Maiden fear and wonder, speaks.
Through her parted lips and cheeks.
From the onkcn mantel glowing
talntest light the lamp is throwing,
IN the mirrors antique mould,
High-bscked chair, and wainsco, old,
And, through faded curtains stealing,
lis dark sleeping face revealing.
ListIess lies the strong man there,
SlVer-slEeaked his careless hair;
Lips OF Love have left no trace
Oh that hard and naughty face.
And that iorehead's knitted thought
Loves soft hand had not unwrought.
Yes" she signs, "he loves me well,
More than these calm lips will tell,
STOPPING to my lowly state,
lie hath male me rich and great,
And L bless him though he be
Hard and stern 10 all save me, -
While she speakoth falls the ligh,
Ger her fingers small and white;
Gold and gem, and costly ring
Back the timid lustre fling
Loves sclectest gifts md rare
His proud hand has fastened there.
Gratefully she marks the glow
From those tapenng lines of snow,
rondly DER the sleeper bending,
His black hair with golden blending.
lr her soft and Light cares,
Cheek and lip together press.
Ha that start Of horor:-Why
That wild stare and wilder cry,
Full OF terror, full of pain
Is there madness in her brain
Hark! that gasping hoarse and low:
spare me-spare me-let me go"
God have mercy,-Icy cold
Spectral hands her own enfold,
Drawing silently from them
Loves fair gifts OF gold and gem,
"Waken. save me"'-stii 1s death
AT her side he slumbereth.
Ring and bracelet all IRE gone,
Ano that ice-cold hand Withdrawn,
But she hears 4 murmur low,
Full Of sweetness, full of wo,
Holt a sigh and half a moan:
"Fear not Give tho dead her own ~
Al the dead wife's voice she knows.
That cold hand whose pressure froze.
Once In warmesi life had borne
Gem and band her own hath worn.
Wake thee. Wake theer' Lo, HE eyes
Open with = dull surprise.
In MS arms the strong man folds her,
Closer TO his breast he holds her:
Trembling limbs his own are meeting,
And he feels her hearts quick beating
Nay. my dearest, why this fear"
"Hush"' she saith, "ihe dead is herew
NAY, dream-an idle dream"
But before the lamps pale CLEAN
Iremb!ingly her hand she raises,-
There no more the diamond blazes,
Clasp OF pearl or mig of gold
"Ah!' she signs, cher hand was cold"
Broken words and cheer he saith,
But his dark lip quivereth,
And as DER the Past he ihinketh,
From his young wife's arms he shrinketh:
Can those soft arms round him lie,
Underneath his dead wife's eve
She her fair young head can rest
Soothed and child-lke on his breast,
And in trusuul innocence
Draw new strength and courage thence;
lie, the proud man, feels within
But the cowardice of Sin,
She can murmur in her thought
Simple prayers her mother taught,
Ard His blessed angels call,
Whose great love Is over all:
lie, clone, in prayeress pride.
Meets the dark Past at his
She, who living shrank with dread,
From his look OF word or tread,
Unto whom her early grave
Was as freedom 10 the slave,
Moves him at this midnight hour.
With the dcad's unconscious power!
All, the dead, the unforgot,
From their solemn homes of thought.
Where the cypress shadow blend
Darkly over foe and friend,
Grin love or sad rebukc,
Back upon the living look.
And the tendercst ones aud weakest,
Who their wrongs have borne the mcckcsl,
Lifting from those dark still places,
Sweet and sad remembered faces,
Ger the guilty hearts behind
An unwilling triumph find.