Explore "The Wife-Blessed" by James Whitcomb Riley on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
I. In youth he wrought, with eyes ablur, / Lorn-faced and long of hair -- / In youth -- in youth he painted her / A sister of the air -- / Could clasp her not, but felt the stir / Of pinions everywhere.
II. She lured his gaze, in braver days, / And tranced him sirenwise; / And he did paint her, through a haze / Of sullen paradise, / With scars of kisses on her face / And embers in her eyes.
III. And now -- nor dream nor wild conceit -- / Though faltering, as before -- / Through tears he paints her, as is meet, / Tracing the dear face o'er / With lilied patience meek and sweet / As Mother Mary wore.