THE DIGGER'S WIFE'S FAREWELL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 12, 10 June 1863, Page 3

THE DIGGER'S WIFE'S FAREWELL.

Well, if it must be so, it must, I could not bid yon stay : But, oil! it will be lonesome work When you are gone away: I know the times are very hard, There's nothing to be done ; But harder still they'll seem to me When I am left alone. You'r taking too my eldest born—- ■ The child I love the best; They all are dear, but that bright boy Is dearer than the rest: He is but very young, you know, Although he looks so tall } I fear my gentle Johnny i 9 The weakest of them all* The other children are so young* What trouble they will be ! For Polly's but a toddling thing, And Willie on my knee : And none of them can know the weight Their Mother's heart must bear, Or help to lift the burden sore Of daily thought and care. But ah, I feei this only makes Your loving heart more sad; There may be good times coming soon, And we shall all be glad. The wise ones say the darkest hour Is ever nearest day; Perhaps I yet may bless the time When you two went away. I've tried to be a helpful wife— I'll try to be so still; Have I not sworn that I would love Alike through good and ill ? And will not now a cheerful word To you and to our boy, Be precious love-gilts to you both, And fill your hearts with joy ? If it were near I would not care, But oh, so far away ; The wide, wide sea between us spread For many a weary day. And when I think about the cold, The bitter frost and snow ; It seems as if for tons of gold, I could not let you go. I hat? Otago's very name— But there, I'll say no more; My fooli >h words will never bring The money to the door; May he who hears a fond wife's prayer, And knows a mother's pain, Be with my dear ones far away, And bring them back again. Queenstoivn, June 8, 1863.