Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper/Volume 18/Number 450/At Last
AT LAST.
BY ADA VROOMAN.
So I smile proudly, do I? Well, what then?
Sweet cause I have for smiling, since my crown—
My rightful crown of love—the flower of men
Has placed upon my brow—a blessing shaken down
From that bright tree which ever bloomed so fair
(But not for me); content I stood aside,
Nor thought of hate, that other brows should wear
Its starry blooms that crowned them wife or bride.
For what was I that he should strive to win
And wear me on his breast? A wayside weed—
No more; but still a weed unsoiled by sin
Of any worldly thought or selfish deed.
Perhaps that won him; no, it cannot be,
Nor good nor worth had I; I cannot tell,
I only know he bent and said to me
Those precious words my heart knows now so well.
Am I not right to smile, the happy queen
Of one true heart? the dear and chosen one
Of him I love! What marvel if my mien
Is proud? my woman's life is just begun.