Virginia Advocate

The following Lines were written by a young Lady of Hudson, N. Y. and are highly creditable to the poetic talent of the fair authoress:

THE WIFE.

"She flung her white arms around him—thou art all that this poor heart can cling to."

COULD I have stemm'd misfortune's tide,
And borne the rich one's sneer,
Have braved the haughty glance of pride,
Nor shed a single tear;
I could have smiled on every blow
From life's full quiver thrown,
While I might gaze on thee, and know
I could not be alone.

I could—I think I could have brook'd
E'en for a time, that thou
Upon my fading face hadst look'd
With less of love than now;
For then I should at least have felt
The sweet hope still my own,
To win thee back—and whilst I dwelt
On earth, not been alone.

But thus to see, from day to day,
Thy brightening eye and cheek,
And watch thy life sands waste away
Unnumbered, slowly, meek;
To meet thy smile of tenderness,
And catch the feeble tone
Of kindness, e'er breathed to bless,
And feel—I'll be alone—

To mark thy strength each hour decay,
And yet thy hopes grow stronger,
As, filled with heavenward trust, they say,
"Earth may not claim thee longer;"
Nay, dearest, 'tis too much—this heart
Must break, when thou art gone—
It must not be, we may not part,
I could not live alone.