Poems (Eliza Gabriella Lewis)/The Deserted Wife

by Eliza Gabriella Lewis

THE DESERTED WIFE.

I cannot sleep—I cannot rest,
 My weary heart is aching;
I watch the glowing of the West,
 I see the morning breaking.

And then, I long again for night—
 For night, and then for morning.
But ah! the smile that was my light
 Is turned to bitter scorning.

May Heaven preserve me in this hour,
 And keep me e'er from madness
Uphold me with its strength'ning power
 To bear this mortal sadness.

Hush I hush, my babe, thy little moan,
 And closer to me nestle,
We now must struggle on alone
 With worldly sorrows wrestle.

Alone, alone, my fatherless,
 We'll stem life's troubled ocean—
Ah! woe is me! and sore distress!
 And weary wild commotion.

For he, who welcomed thee, my child,
 With smiles and fond caresses,
Another hath his love beguiled,
 Another's lip he presses.