An Empty Glass.
210
What he was meant to be, noble and good.
When I am gone, and I shall surely go—
Pass into silence utterly—he'll turn
And learn to love his wife. So men are made,
The best among them, and those little hands
I dreamed of—they will hold him close at home,
And draw the sting from memory, and light
A new and purer flame upon his hearth.
He'll plunge into his work, his fame will grow,
And he'll fulfil the promise of his life
With wife and child and home and wealth—and I—
Now God be merciful to me again,
And send some power to strengthen me. I know
That I am helped. My heart is lighter now
Than it has been for weeks. My thoughts are clear,
And I dare face them. Over my dead self
My foot steps firmly. Now 'tis time to see
My patient. Three o'clock! quite early yet,
And still he sleeps. I shall not waken him.
Five minutes more and 'twill be time to give
The ten drops as directed. Quietly
He still sleeps on. I'll kiss him once good-night.
When I am gone, and I shall surely go—
Pass into silence utterly—he'll turn
And learn to love his wife. So men are made,
The best among them, and those little hands
I dreamed of—they will hold him close at home,
And draw the sting from memory, and light
A new and purer flame upon his hearth.
He'll plunge into his work, his fame will grow,
And he'll fulfil the promise of his life
With wife and child and home and wealth—and I—
Now God be merciful to me again,
And send some power to strengthen me. I know
That I am helped. My heart is lighter now
Than it has been for weeks. My thoughts are clear,
And I dare face them. Over my dead self
My foot steps firmly. Now 'tis time to see
My patient. Three o'clock! quite early yet,
And still he sleeps. I shall not waken him.
Five minutes more and 'twill be time to give
The ten drops as directed. Quietly
He still sleeps on. I'll kiss him once good-night.
[Turns to bed.]
