Classic Poem

I.

Slow dragged along the unsmiling year,
With winds, and mist, and foliage torn;
And, though their green love grew not sere,
They could not cease to mourn.

II.

But still they strove to feed their hope,
Though faint and worn away with fears,
Though in their passion's ample scope
Was room for many tears.

III.

To see the Sexton Henry came,
And told how great a thing he sought;
The father did not loudly blame,
But sat in unrejoicing thought.

IV.

At last he spoke with lingering tongue:
“My friend, I will not say you no,
Though Jane is still but weak and young
From her old father's side to go.

V.

“Indeed, 'twould be a wiser plan,
If you could come and live with me;
Though I am not a book-learned man,
With her to help we might agree.

VI.

“The house and fields are all my own,
And will be his who weds with her,
And I grow old to work alone,
And oft would rather rest than stir.

VII.

“And after me, 'tis plain to think,
My son may be the sexton too;
But for your books, and pen, and ink,
I know not what's the good they do.

VIII.

“Ah! well, I see you hang your head;
And where, my friend, 's the need of shame?
'Tis not too late to change your trade,
And then—why, Jane may change her name.

IX.

“To-morrow evening come again;
Till then, at least, I'll not refuse;
I would not cross the wish of Jane,
Though she, I fear, is young to choose.”

X.

Before that eve, it so befell
The lovers met beside the tree,
And Henry said—“'Twere vain to tell
That I would give all else for thee.