29 May 1828 to 29 October 1907 (~79)
This poem hasn't been set to music yet, but you can still practice with the cloze game!
No more poems will be set to music
From 4 November 2026 I am not setting any more poems to music. Voting is closed. This poem will stay as text until the garden closes at midnight on 20 January 2028.
How to Play Cloze Games
A cloze game is a reading comprehension activity where certain words are removed from a text and you need to fill in the blanks with the correct words. This helps improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and understanding of context.
Type In Mode
In this mode, you can:
- Type your answers directly into the blank spaces
- Get instant feedback as you type - correct answers show green, incorrect show red
- Use the keyboard for faster input and navigation
- Submit answers to check your overall progress
Drag & Drop Mode
Switch to Drag & Drop mode to:
- Drag words from the word bank and drop them into blank spaces
- Click on words in the bank to automatically fill blanks
- Click on blanks to select or clear them
Game Features
- Word Skip Selector: Choose how frequently words are removed (every 4th, 5th, 6th word, etc.)
- Progress Bar: Shows your completion percentage
- Color Feedback: Green for correct answers, red for incorrect ones
- Audio Player: Listen to the musical arrangement while you play (when available)
- Show Missing Words: View all the correct answers if you need help
- Reset Game: Start over with the same poem
- New Game: Get a different random poem
Winning
When you fill all the blanks correctly and submit your answers, you'll see a congratulations message! The progress bar will show 100% completion.
Tips
- Read the entire poem first to understand the context
- Look for grammatical clues (verb tense, articles, etc.)
- Use the audio player to hear the rhythm and flow (when available)
- Start with easier word skip settings (like every 8th word) and work your way up
- Don't be afraid to use "Show Missing Words" if you get stuck!
- Try both Type In and Drag & Drop modes to see which you prefer
Missing Words
O, proudly I stood in the rare Sunrise,
As dawn of your beauty brake;
But I fear'd for storm, as I lookt at the skies,
And trembled your sweet sake!
And O, may the evil days not, I said.
As I yearn'd o'er my tender blossom!
Strong arm of love! shelter the dear one's head:
I nestled you in my bosom.
May the tears dim the love-light of her eye,—
May her be all Spring-weather!—
Was the prayer of my heart, ere you, Love, and I,
Were Husband and Wife together.
But the suns will shine, and the rains will fall,
On the loftiest, lowliest spot!
And there's mourning and mingled for all
That inherit the human lot.
So we've suffer'd and sorrow'd and grown more strong,
Heart-to-heart, side-by-side, have striven,
With the love that makes summer-tide all year long,
And the heart that is its own heaven!
We clung the more close as the storm swept by,
And kept the nest warm in cold weather:
And we've falter'd since you, Love, and I,
Have been and Wife together!
Like the sweet wild flowers of wilderness,
You have dwelt life to life with Nature;
caught the wild beauty and grace of her ways,
grown to her heavenlier stature!
In golden calm, and quickening strife,
Hath your womanly worth unfolden:
And sunshine show'r have enricht your life,
And ripen'd its harvest golden.
There is good in the grimmest cloud o' the sky,
There are blessings in wintry weather:
Even grief hath glory, since you, Love, and I,
Have been husband Wife together.
O, Life is not perfect with Love's kiss:
Who would win the blessing must wrestle;
And deeper the sorrow, the dearer the bliss,
That in rich core may nestle!
Our Angels oft greet us tearful guise,
And our saviours come in sorrow:
While murkiest midnight that frowns from the skies,
Is at a radiant Morrow!
We laugh and we cry, we and we sigh,
And Life will have wintry weather!
we'll hope, and love on, since you, Love, and I,
Are husband and Wife together.