Poem by William Dean Howells

The Two Wives

THE COLONEL rode by his picket-line
  In the pleasant morning sun,
That glanced from him far off to shine
  On the crouching rebel picket’s gun.

From his command the captain strode        
  Out with a grave salute,
And talked with the colonel as he rode:—
  The picket levelled his piece to shoot.

The colonel rode and the captain walked,—
  The arm of the picket tired;        
Their faces almost touched as they talked,
  And, swerved from his aim, the picket fired.

The captain fell at the horse’s feet,
  Wounded and hurt to death,
Calling upon a name that was sweet        
  As God is good, with his dying breath.

And the colonel that leaped from his horse and knelt
  To close the eyes so dim,
A high remorse for God’s mercy felt,
  Knowing the shot was meant for him.        

And he whispered, prayer-like, under his breath,
  The name of his own young wife:
For Love, that had made his friend’s peace with Death,
  Alone could make his with life.

1. In Earliest Spring
2. The Song the Oriole Sings
3. What Shall It Profit?
4. Vision
5. By the Sea

Thomas Hardy The Two Wives ("I waited at home all the while they were boating together")

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