Well, so time passed on; a year was gone, Then the news came! I shed many tears Any one but her I could have borne! But my lady loved her as her friend. Through their childhood and their early youth, How she used to count upon the truth Of this friendship that would never end! Older, graver than my lady was, Whose young, gentle heart on her relied, She would give advice, and praise, and blame, As her dearest comfort, help, and guide. I had never liked her, and I think That my lady grew to doubt her too, Since her marriage; for she named her less, At some secret wrong I never knew. That might be or not. But now, to hear She would come and reign here in her stead, Would no thought reproach her in her pride So, the day came, and the bells rang out, Ah, Sir Arthur might look grave and stern, Would not raise her eyes, or speak to him. When Sir Arthur bade them greet their "mother," Ah, the lady's tears might well fall fast, But I think some shadow of regret She had some strange touch of self-reproach; For she used to linger day by day, By the nursery door, or garden gate, With a sad, calm, wistful look, and wait Watching the three children at their play. But they always shrank away from her I could never chide them: for I saw When a child, to send them off to sleep. But Sir Arthur-Oh, this was too hard !— In my lady's time, seemed to rejoice Each day more; and I could hear his voice Even, sounding younger and more glad. He might perhaps have blamed them, but his wife Never failed to take the children's part: She would stay him with her pleading tone, Saying she would strive, and strive alone, Till she gained each little wayward heart. And she strove indeed, and seemed to be Yet, when May had most her mother's look, Little May would never call her Mother: Kissed her golden curls, and softly said, "Sweet one, call me Margaret, instead,Your dear mother used to call me so." She was gentle, kind, and patient too, Ah, their mother's gentle memory dwelt So three years passed; then the war broke out; Yes; Sir Arthur had been called away Nearer came the day he was to sail, I looked up and saw Sir Arthur near. |