The Old Wife

Make the old wife young again,
Twine the roses in her hair; 
Tell her, as you told her then,
"You are wonderfully fair!" 
Look into her eyes and say, —
Smile and say it through your tears, 
"You are dearer every day.
Nearer, dearer with the years!"

Hold her hand in kindly grasp, —
Once you pressed it to your lips, 
While its tender, velvet clasp
Thrilled you to your finger-tips. 
Kiss her faded cheek and brow
With a love so warm and true 
They shall glow with crimson, now,
Blushing as they used to do.

To the sunset of your lives,
Lead, oh, lead her gently on.
Love until the end survives 
With the freshness of the dawn.
Drift amid its golden gleams 
Out across the sunlit seas,
On a pillow made of dreams, 
And a couch of memories.