METHOUGHT I saw thee yesternight br Sit by me in the olden guise, br The white robes and the pain foregone, br Weaving instead of amaranth crown br A web of mortal dyes. br br I cried, 'Where hast thou been so long?' br (The mild eyes turned and mutely smiled br 'Why dwellest thou in far-off lands? br What is that web within thy hands?' br --'I work for thee, my child.' br br I clasped thee in my arms and wept; br I kissed thee oft with passion wild: br I poured fond questions, tender blame; br Still thy sole answer was the same,-- br 'I work for thee, my child.' br br 'Come and walk with me as of old.' br Then camest thou, silent as before; br We passed along that churchyard way br We used to tread each Sabbath day, br Till one trod earth no more. br br I felt thy hand upon my arm, br Beside me thy meek face I saw, br Yet through the sweet familiar grace br A something spiritual could trace br That left a nameless awe. br br Trembling I said, 'Long years have passed br Since thou wert from my side beguiled; br Now thou'rt returned and all shall be br As was before.'--Half-pensively br Thou answered'st--'Nay, my child.' br br I pleaded sore: 'Hadst thou forgot br The love wherewith we loved of old,-- br The long sweet days of converse blest, br The nights of slumber on thy breast,-- br Wert thou to me grown cold?' br br There beamed on me those eyes of heaven br That wept no more, but ever smiled; br 'Love only is love in that Home br Where I abide--where, till thou come, br I work for thee, my child.' br br If from my sight thou passedst then, br Or if my sobs the dream exiled, br I know not: but in memory clear br I seem these strange words still to hear, br 'I work for thee, my child.