It was a way of Helen's not to sing
The songs that other people sang; she took
Sometimes an extract from an olden book--
Again some floating, fragmentary thing,
And these she fitted to old melodies,
Or else composed the music. One of these
She sang that night; and Vivian caught the strain.
And joined her in the chorus or refrain:
O thou, mine other stronger part,
Whom yet I cannot hear or see,
Come thou and take this loving heart,
That longs to yield its all to thee.
I call mine own, O come to me--
Love, answer back, "I come to thee,
I come to thee!"
This hungry heart, so warm, so large
Is far too great a care for me.
I have grown weary of the charge
I keep so sacredly for thee.
Come, then, and take my heart from me--
Love, answer back, "I come to thee,
I come to thee."
I am a'weary, waiting here
For one who tarries long from me.
O, art thou far, or art thou near,
And must I still be sad for thee?
Love, answer, "I am near to thee,
I am come to thee!"
Poems of Love by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Chicago: M.A.Donohue, 1905.
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