Page:The Writings of John Green Whittier (v.1).pdf/282

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NARRATIVE AND LEGENDARY POEMS.
"She looked up in his face of pain So archly, yet so tender'And if I lend you mine,' she said, 'Will you forgive the lender?
"'Nor frock nor tan can hide the man; And see you not, my farmer,How weak and fond a woman waits Behind this silken armor?
"'I love you: on that love alone, And not my worth, presuming,Will you not trust for summer fruit The tree in May-day blooming?'
"Alone the hangbird overhead, His hair-swung cradle straining,Looked down to see love's miracle,— The giving that is gaining.
"And so the farmer found a wife, His mother found a daughterThere looks no happier home than hers 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.
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