Afternoon

<SPAN name="XX"></SPAN>XX<br/> <br/> <br/> Alas! when the poison of disease<br/> Ran, with my slow and torpid blood,<br/> More sluggish and more torpid day by day,<br/> Ran in my veins a leaden flood;<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And my poor eyes</span><br/> Saw my hands so thin and white,<br/> Morosely watched the dreaded course<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the hated blight;</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">When I had not even force</span><br/> Upon your heart my burning mouth to press<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">There to kiss our happiness;</span><br/> When the days, monotonous and sad,<br/> Gnawed my consciousness with spite,<br/> I never could, myself, have found the will<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">To rise with stoic might,</span><br/> If you had not poured into my veins<br/> The secret heroism that you have,<br/> Daily, every hour of every week,<br/> With hands so patient, so serene and brave.<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />