VERSE: A NEW MOTHER

I was with my lady when she died: I it was who guided her weak hand For a blessing on each little head, Laid her baby by her on the bed, Heard the words they could not understand.

And I drew them round my knee that night, Hushed their childish glee, and made them say They would keep her words with loving tears, They would not forget her dying fears Lest the thought of her should fade away.

I, who guessed what her last dread had been, Made a promise to that still, cold face, That her children's hearts, at any cost, Should be with the mother they had lost, When a stranger came to take her place.

And I knew so much! for I had lived With my lady since her childhood: known What her young and happy days had been, And the grief no other eyes had seen I had watched and sorrowed for alone.

Ah! she once had such a happy smile!

I had known how sorely she was tried: Six short years before, her eyes were bright As her little blue-eyed May's that night, When she stood by her dead mother's side.

No--I will not say he was unkind; But she had been used to love and praise.

He was somewhat grave--perhaps, in truth, Could not weave her joyous, smiling youth, Into all his stern and serious ways.

She, who should have reigned a blooming flower, First in pride and honour, as in grace,-- She, whose will had once ruled all around, Queen and darling of us all--she found Change indeed in that cold, stately place.

Yet she would not blame him, even to me, Though she often sat and wept alone; But she could not hide it near her death, When she said with her last struggling breath, "Let my babies still remain my own!"

I it was who drew the sheet aside, When he saw his dead wife's face. That test Seemed to strike right to his heart. He said, In a strange, low whisper, to the dead, "G.o.d knows, love, I did it for the best!"

And he wept--Oh yes, I will be just-- When I brought the children to him there-- Wondering sorrow in their baby eyes; And he soothed them with his fond replies, Bidding me give double love and care.

Ah, I loved them well for her dear sake: Little Arthur, with his serious air; May, with all her mother's pretty ways, Blushing, and at any word of praise Shaking out her sunny golden hair.

And the little one of all--poor child!

She had cost that dear and precious life.

Once Sir Arthur spoke my lady's name, When the baby's gloomy christening came, And he called her "Olga--like my wife!"

Save that time, he never spoke of her; He grew graver, sterner, every day; And the children felt it, for they dropped Low their voices, and their laughter stopped While he stood and watched them at their play.

No, he never named their mother's name.

But I told them of her: told them all She had been; so gentle, good, and bright; And I always took them every night Where her picture hung in the great hall.

There she stood: white daisies in her hand, And her red lips parted as to speak With a smile; the blue and sunny air Seemed to stir her floating golden hair, And to bring a faint blush on her cheek.

Well, so time pa.s.sed on; a year was gone, And Sir Arthur had been much away.

Then the news came! I shed many tears When I saw the truth of all my fears Rise before me on that bitter day.

Any one but her I could have borne!

But my lady loved her as her friend.

Through their childhood and their early youth, How she used to count upon the truth Of this friendship that would never end!

Older, graver than my lady was, Whose young, gentle heart on her relied, She would give advice, and praise, and blame, And my lady leant on Margaret's name, As her dearest comfort, help, and guide.

I had never liked her, and I think That my lady grew to doubt her too, Since her marriage; for she named her less, Never saw her, and I used to guess At some secret wrong I never knew.

That might be or not. But now, to hear She would come and reign here in her stead, With the pomp and splendour of a bride: Would no thought reproach her in her pride With the silent memory of the dead?

So, the day came, and the bells rang out, And I laid the children's black aside; And I held each little trembling hand, As I strove to make them understand They must greet their father's new-made bride.

Ah, Sir Arthur might look grave and stern, And his lady's eyes might well grow dim, When the children shrank in fear away,-- Little Arthur hid his face, and May Would not raise her eyes, or speak to him.

When Sir Arthur bade them greet their "mother,"

I was forced to chide, yet proud to hear How my little loving May replied, With her mother's pretty air of pride,-- "Our dear mother has been dead a year!"

Ah, the lady's tears might well fall fast, As she kissed them, and then turned away.

She might strive to smile or to forget, But I think some shadow of regret Must have risen to blight her wedding-day.

She had some strange touch of self-reproach; For she used to linger day by day, By the nursery door, or garden gate, With a sad, calm, wistful look, and wait Watching the three children at their play.

But they always shrank away from her When she strove to comfort their alarms, And their grave, cold silence to beguile: Even little Olga's baby-smile Quivered into tears when in her arms.

I could never chide them: for I saw How their mother's memory grew more deep In their hearts. Each night I had to tell Stories of her whom I loved so well When a child, to send them off to sleep.

But Sir Arthur--Oh, this was too hard!-- He, who had been always stern and sad In my lady's time, seemed to rejoice Each day more; and I could hear his voice Even, sounding younger and more glad.

He might perhaps have blamed them, but his wife Never failed to take the children's part: She would stay him with her pleading tone, Saying she would strive, and strive alone, Till she gained each little wayward heart.

And she strove indeed, and seemed to be Always waiting for their love, in vain; Yet, when May had most her mother's look, Then the lady's calm, cold accents shook With some memory of reproachful pain.

Little May would never call her Mother: So, one day, the lady, bending low, Kissed her golden curls, and softly said, "Sweet one, call me Margaret, instead,-- Your dear mother used to call me so."

She was gentle, kind, and patient too, Yet in vain: the children held apart.

Ah, their mother's gentle memory dwelt Near them, and her little orphans felt She had the first claim upon their heart.

So three years pa.s.sed; then the war broke out; And a rumour seemed to spread and rise; First we guessed what sorrow must befall, Then all doubt fled, for we read it all In the depths of her despairing eyes.

Yes; Sir Arthur had been called away To that scene of slaughter, fear, and strife,-- Now he seemed to know with double pain, The cold, bitter gulf that must remain To divide his children from his wife.

Nearer came the day he was to sail, Deeper grew the coming woe and fear, When, one night, the children at my knee Knelt to say their evening prayer to me, I looked up and saw Sir Arthur near.

There they knelt with folded hands, and said Low, soft words in stammering accents sweet; In the firelight shone their golden hair And white robes: my darlings looked so fair, With their little bare and rosy feet!

There he waited till their low "Amen;"

Stopped the rosy lips raised for "Good night!"-- Drew them with a fond clasp, close and near, As he bade them stay with him, and hear Something that would make his heart more light.

Little Olga crept into his arms; Arthur leant upon his shoulder; May Knelt beside him, with her earnest eyes Lifted up in patient, calm surprise-- I can almost hear his words to-day.

"Years ago, my children, years ago, When your mother was a child, she came From her northern home, and here she met Love for love, and comfort for regret, In one early friend,--you know her name.

"And this friend--a few years older--gave Such fond care, such love, that day by day The new home grew happy, joy complete, Studies easier, and play more sweet, While all childish sorrows pa.s.sed away.

"And your mother--fragile, like my May-- Leant on this deep love,--nor leant in vain.

For this friend (strong, generous, n.o.ble heart!) Gave the sweet, and took the bitter part,-- Brought her all the joy, and kept the pain.