The Husband's View

"Can anything avail     Beldame, for my hid grief? -     Listen: I'll tell the tale,     It may bring faint relief! -     "I came where I was not known,     In hope to flee my sin;     And walking forth alone     A young man said, 'Good e'en.'     "In gentle voice and true     He asked to marry me;     'You only - only you     Fulfil my dream!' said he.     "We married o' Monday morn,     In the month of hay and flowers;     My cares were nigh forsworn,     And perfect love was ours.     "But ere the days are long     Untimely fruit will show;     My Love keeps up his song,     Undreaming it is so.     "And I awake in the night,     And think of months gone by,     And of that cause of flight     Hidden from my Love's eye.     "Discovery borders near,     And then! . . . But something stirred? -     My husband - he is here!     Heaven - has he overheard?" -     "Yes; I have heard, sweet Nan;     I have known it all the time.     I am not a particular man;     Misfortunes are no crime:     "And what with our serious need     Of sons for soldiering,     That accident, indeed,     To maids, is a useful thing!"