His Wife

I oan not touch his cheek, Nor ruffle with a loving breath his halr; I look into his eyes and hear him speak- He never knows that I am there ! #h, if my darling would but only know That day and night, through all his weary Ufe, (, whom he lovedin the years long ago, Am with him still- hia wifo ! I watch him at his task, When the broad sunbeams flrst light up hls room; I watch him till the evening lays her mask Upon the íace of üay ; and in the gloom He lays his pencil down and silent sits, And leans his chin upon his hand and sighs: How well I know what memory round him flits 1 I read it in hts eye3. nd when his pencil' s skill Has sometimes wrought a touch of happy art, see his face with sudden gladness flll; I see him turn with eager lips apart, Vo bid me come and welcome his success ; And then ho droops and throws his brusa aside ; Wh, if my darling then could only guess That she is near who died I Kometimes I fancy, too, That he does dimly know lt- that he feels Kome influence of love pass thrilling through Death's prison bars, the spirit's bonds and seals; 6ome dear eompanionship around him still ; Some whispered blessing, faintly breathed caress, fhe pressure of a love no death can kill Brightening his loneliness. Ah, but it can not bel The dead are with the living- I am here; 3ut he, my living love, he can not see His dead wif e, though she cling to him so near. I seek his eyes; I press against his cheek; I hear him breathe my name in wailing tone- He calis me, calis his wif e; I can not speak- He thinks he is alone. 4"his is the bitterness of death ; To know he loves me, pines and ycarns for me ; To see him, still be near him, feel his breath Fan my sad cheek, and yet I am not free To bid him feel, by any faintest touch, That she who never Ie ft his side in life- She who so loved him, whom he loved so much- Is with him still his wife.