To a Laughing Wife
WHY do you always laugh, by what strange power
Alchemize all the sorrow of the earth
To an elixir of celestial mirth,
Hanging with lamps of joy the blackest hour ?
Alchemize all the sorrow of the earth
To an elixir of celestial mirth,
Hanging with lamps of joy the blackest hour ?
O most mysterious and potent flower,
Hiding the silver sorrow of your being
Deep in your heart far down beyond our seeing!
Hiding the silver sorrow of your being
Deep in your heart far down beyond our seeing!
Dear woman stronger than a marble tower,
And delicate as the shadow of a rose,
In vain I question whence your valor flows,
, Sustaining all and asking strength from none —
But oh, believe your worthless lover knows
The wonder that his weakness leans upon.
And delicate as the shadow of a rose,
In vain I question whence your valor flows,
, Sustaining all and asking strength from none —
But oh, believe your worthless lover knows
The wonder that his weakness leans upon.