The Indiana State sentinel., 1874-02-17
THE WIFE
BY JOIN c. WHITTIER.


From school, and ball, and route She came,
: The city's fair. pale daughter, ~. 49,
To drink the wine OF mountain fair,
Beside the BeafcaInp Water. 7I
Her step grew firmer on the hills @ %
That watch our homestead over, -ar
On cheek and lip, nom summer fields,
She caught the bloom OF clover.
For health comes sparkling IN the streams
From cool Chacorna stealing,
There's iron In our Northern winds
our piues are trees of healing.
She sat beneath the brOad-arn1ed elns
That skirJ the moving meadow,
And watched the gentle west wind weave
The grass With shine and shadow.
BESIDE her. from the summer heat,
10 share her grateful screening.
With forehead barred. the farmer stood,
Upon his pitchfOrk leaning.
Framed IN It's damp, dark locks, his face.
Had nothing mean or common,
strong, manly, true, The tenderness
And pride beloved OF women.
She looked up, glowing with the health
The country air rad brought her,
Aud. laughing said: "YOu lack a wife,
Your mother lacks daughter.
Ito mend your frOek and bake your bread
You DO not need lady;
b Sure, among these brown old homes
Is some one waiting ready
<.Soms fair, sweet girl, with sl6iiiful hand
And cheerful heart for treasure,
Who never plsyed w'fh ivory keys,
Or danced the pOiKa's measure.
lie bent his blacs Diows TO froHn,
He SCI AS wDt.e teeth tightly;
'Iis well" he SAID, "fOf one Ike you
10 choose for I1le 50 lightly;
~ on tniBk, because my lie = rude,
! take no note of sweetness;
/ iell you love has naught 10 90
with naeetnesS or unmeetucSs.
Itself it's best excuse, Il asks
No leave Of pride Or fashion,
When siikeu zone or hOmeSpun frock
II stirs with thrObs of passion.
"You think me deaf and blind; you. bring
Your winning graces hither
As free as If from cradle time
We two had played together.
You iempl me with your laughing eyes,
Your cheek of sundown's bushes;
\ motion of waving grain,
\ music as OF tnrushes.
The pIaything OF your summer sport,
The spells you weave around me;
You cannot of your will undo,
Nor leave me a. you found me.
You go as ligutly as you came,
Your life is well without me;
What caIe you that these hills Will close
Like prison walls around me?
No mood is mine to seek awife,
Or daughter for my mother;
Who loves you loses in that love --.
al power 10 love anOther!
] dare your pity or your scorn
W ith pride your own exceedlnSi
fling my heart into your lap
Without a word of pleading"
ID She looked upon the waving grass
SO archly, yet so tender.
&sAnd give you mine" she said,
sWill you forgive the lender?
Nor frock nor tan can hide the man;
And see YOU not, my farmer,
How weak and fond woman waits
Behind this silken armors
al love YOU; on that love alone,
And not my worth, presuming,
VIII you not trust for summer fruit
The tree in May day Llooming:"
Alone the hangbird overhead.
His hairs wung cradle stra1nlng,
Looked down to see loves miracle
The giving that is gaining.
And 50 the farmer found "a vile,
His mother found daughter;
There looks no happier home than hers
.I On pleasant Bearcamp Water.
Flowers spring to blossom where she walks
The careful ways OF duty;
Our hard, stiff lines of Life, with her,
Are flowing curves OF beauty.
our homes are cheerier for her sake,
our door-yards brighter blooming,
And all about the social air
IS sweeter for her coming.