Husband and Wife

“Oh kiss me once before I go,
To make amends for sorrow:
Oh kiss me once before we part,
For we mayn’t meet to-morrow.

“And I was wrong to force your will,
And wrong to mar your life:
But kiss me once before we part
Because you are my wife.”

She turned her head and tossed her head,
And puckered up her brow:
“I never kissed you yet,” said she,
“And I’ll not kiss you now.

“Though I’m your wife by might and right
And forsworn marriage vow,
I never loved you yet,” said she,
“And I don’t love you now.”

So he went sailing on the sea,
And she sat crossed and dumb,
While he went sailing on the sea
Where the storm-winds come.

He’d been away a month and day
Counting from morn to morn :
And many buds had turned to leaves,
And many lambs been born

And many buds had turned to flowers
For Spring was in a glow,
When she was laid upon her bed
As white and cold as snow.

“Oh let me kiss my baby once,
Once before I die:
And bring it sometimes to my grave
To teach it where I lie.

“And tell my husband, when he comes
Safe back from sea,
To love the baby that I leave
If ever he loved me:

“And tell him, not for might or right
Or forsworn marriage vow,
But for the helpless baby’s sake,
I would have kissed him now.”