POETRY.
A REGRET.
I BLAME not that your courage failed,
That prudence over love prevailed ; It seemed that we must walk together Rough ways through wild and stormy weather, And you must have smooth paths to tread, And skies all cloudless overhead.
Wise was your choice the world will say, That sees you fresh and fair to-day As in the spring-time of your years, Those hazel eyes undimmed with tears, That forehead all unlined with care, Nor streaked with gray that chestnut hair.
Yet if you could have dared to lay Unfaltering hands in mine, and say, "I trust you still, nor count the cost !" Something, I doubt not, you had lost, Yet found when all was told.remain To you and me some larger gain.
Not loveless nor unsweet my days ; I toil, nor miss some rneed of praise ; Had you been with me they had known The grace they lack, and thou hadst grown, 0 weak but pure and tender heart! To something nobler than thou art.
Ah ! better had we both been laid To rest for ever, ere the shade Of that cold worldliness had made Division worse than death, and bade Our souls be parted evermore, Still strangers on the heavenly shore. A. J. C.
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