"'Twas as if my soul had spoken, And at once I seemed to know, Through the poet's voice prophetic, What the issue of my woe. "Later, walking in the evening Through the shrubbery, thou and I, With the woodlarks singing round us, And the full moon in the sky; "Thou, my Ellen, didst reproach me, For that I had coldly heard That sweet ballad of thy uncle's, Nor responded by a word. "Said I, 'If that marvelous ballad Did not seem my heart to touch; It was not from want of feeling, But because it felt too much.' "And even as the rod of Moses Called forth water from the rock; So did now thy sweet reproaches All my secret heart unlock. "And my soul lay bare before thee; And I told thee all; how strove, As in fierce and dreary conflict, My stern duty and my love. "All I told thee--of my parents, Of my angel-mother's fate; Of the vow by which she bound me; Of my present low estate. "All I told thee, while the woodlarks Filled with song the evening breeze, And bright gushes of the moonlight Fell upon us through the trees. "And thou murmured'st, oh! my Ellen, In a voice so sweet and low; 'Would that I had known thy mother. Would that I might soothe thy woe!' "Ellen, my sweet, life's companion! From my being's inmost core Then I blessed thee; but I bless thee, Bless thee, even now, still more! "For, as in the days chivalric Ladies armed their knights for strife, So didst thou, with thy true counsel, Arm me for the fight of life. "Saidst thou, 'No, thou must not waver, Ever upright must thou stand: Even in duty's hardest peril, All thy weapons in thy hand. "'Doing still thy utmost, utmost; Never resting till thou'rt free!-- But, if e'er thy soul is weary, Or discouraged--think of me!' "And again thy sweet voice murmured, In a low and thrilling tone; 'I have loved thee, truly loved thee, Though that love was all unknown! "'And the sorrows and the trials Which thy youth in bondage hold, Make thee to my heart yet dearer Than if thou hadst mines of gold! "'Go forth--pay thy debt to duty; And when thou art nobly free, He shall know, my good old uncle, Of the love 'twixt thee and me!' "Ellen, thou wast my good angel! Once again in life I strove-- But the hardest task was easy, In the light and strength of love. "And, when months had passed on swiftly, Canst thou not that hour recall-- 'Twas a Christmas Sabbath evening-- When we told thy uncle all? "Good old uncle! I can see him, With those calm and loving eyes, Smiling on us as he listened, Silent, yet with no surprise. "And when once again the lilacs Blossom'd, in the merry May, And the woodlarks sang together, Came our happy marriage day.