THE MOTHER-IN-LAW.

She was my dream’s fulfilment and my joy, This lovely woman whom you call your wife. You sported at your play, an idle boy, When I first felt the stirring of her life Within my startled being. I was thrilled With such intensity of love, it filled The very universe! But words are vain— No man can comprehend that wild, sweet pain.

You smiled in childhood’s slumber while I felt The agonies of labour; and the nights I, weeping, o’er the little sufferer knelt, You, wandering on through dreamland’s fair delights Flung out your lengthening limbs and slept and grew; While I, awake, saved this dear wife for you.

She was my heart’s loved idle and my pride. I taught her all those graces which you praise, I dreamed of coming years, when at my side She should lend luster to my fading days, Should cling to me (as she to you clings now), The young fruit hanging to the withered bough. But lo! the blossom was so fair a sight, You plucked it from me—for your own delight.

Well, you are worthy of her—oh, thank God— And yet I think you do not realize How burning were the sands o’er which I trod, To bear and rear this woman you so prize. It was no easy thing to see her go— Even into the arms of the one she worshiped so.

How strong, how vast, how awful seems the power Of this new love which fills a maiden’s heart, For one who never bore a single hour Of pain for her; which tears her life apart From all its moorings, and controls her more Than all the ties the years have held before; Which crowns a stranger with a kingly grace— And give the one who bore her—second place!

She loves me still! and yet, were Death to say, “Choose now between them!” you would be her choice. God meant it to be so—it is His way. But can you wonder if, while I rejoice In her content, this thought hurts like a knife— “No longer necessary to her life!”

My pleasure in her joy is bitter sweet. Your very goodness sometimes hurts my heart, Because, for her, life’s drama seems complete Without the mother’s oft-repeated part. Be patient with me! She was mine so long Who now is yours. One must indeed be strong, To meet the loss without the least regret. And so, forgive me, if my eyes are wet.