Classic Poem

2.

" Under the willow tree
All that can die of me
Perishing lies;
There, in green water-brakes
Royally — water-snakes
Feast on my eyes.
Then, if thou lov'st him, too;
If I to him am true,
Laid with the dead;
If — as the true should be —
Telma is lov'd by thee,
In her cold bed;
If all our acts are seeds —
If good and evil deeds
Never can die;
If what thou oft' hast told
Me of the prophets old,
Was not a lie;
If the god-written speech
Shall to the nations teach
Life undeprav'd;
If, sunk in sin and night,
Worlds shall rejoice in light,
By a child sav'd;
If sinless might is thine —
Motherless Etheline,
Cherish my child!
Orphan'd one, Lonely one,
Pity my only one,
Mother my child!
Though born to singleness,
Thou must live husbandless,
Why live alone?
She can secure to thee
Wifehood's virginity;
Make her thy own!
She can preserve the soul,
She keep the conscience whole;
Mother her well!
Him her pure love may save
Ev'n from the spirit's grave;
Snatch'd from deep hell!
Me, all my sins forgiv'n,
He may uplift to heav'n,
Wing'd at his side;
Cherubim, seraphim,
Singing, to welcome him
Home, with his bride. "