TO MY WIFE

TO MY WIFE

I saw rain falling and the rainbow drawn
On Lammermuir.  Hearkening I heard again
In my precipitous city beaten bells
Winnow the keen sea wind.  And here afar,
Intent on my own race and place, I wrote.
    Take thou the writing: thine it is.  For who
Burnished the sword, blew on the drowsy coal,
Held still the target higher, chary of praise
And prodigal of counsel—who but thou?
So now, in the end, if this the least be good,
If any deed be done, if any fire
Burn in the imperfect page, the praise be thine.