From neighbor's broil they kept away--
No liking for such things had they,
And O, each had a cannie mind!
Each could be deaf, and dumb, and blind;
In this stanza, the narrator explains how this couple—who were well-suited for each other and quite content in their relationship—made a point to abstain from gossip. They were a respectable couple who kept their affairs private and did not involve themselves in the affairs of their neighbors. In spite of this, the narrator notes, the couple did get into the odd fight every now and again. He points out that both the man and woman could be ignorant and unkind at times, which would result in a fight. In this way, this stanza exemplifies how this couple, just like all couples, can be both content with each other and still get into fights.
But near of heart they ever kept,
Until at close of life they slept,
Just this to say when all was past--
They loved each other to the last,
They're loving yet in heaven, maybe--
For he was Scotch, and so was she.
In this closing stanza, the narrator explains that this couple maintained their love and affection until the very end of their lives. Though they would occasionally fight and disagree—as all married couples do—their love never faltered, and they remained married until their dying days. The narrator makes a point to mention that the man and woman were so in love and dedicated to each other that they are likely together in Heaven. This closing stanza serves to summarize and idolize this couple’s love and to show how their love was so strong and pure that they are likely together, even in Heaven.
A little child, she stood that far-off day,
When Love, the master-painter, took the brush
And on the wall of mem'ry dull and grey
Traced tender eyes, wide brow, and changing blush,
The gladness and the youth, the bending head […]
In this stanza, the narrator describes how an unnamed young girl is immortalized through a metaphorical hand-painted portrait. The narrator describes “Love” as a master-painter and suggests that the young girl’s beauty is so pure and breathtaking that she must have been hand-painted by God, who represents Love. The narrator describes the young girl’s features as being so beautiful and pure that she lights up the memories of those around her and projects happiness into the lives of those around her. This poem is therefore representative of the incredible beauty that some people have in their youth and the fact that this beauty must have been bestowed by God himself.
Her mouth--full lipped, and subtly sweet
As brier drowned in summer heat.
Her heart--December's chill and snow;
Heaven pity me, who love her so!
The closing stanzas to this short poem serve as a reminder that physical attributes do not capture the essence of a human being. The narrator of this poem describes an unnamed woman. According to the narrator, this woman has all of the attributes of pure beauty—full lips, piercing eyes, golden hair, and rosy cheeks. By all accounts, this would appear to be the ideal woman. As the narrator notes in the last stanza, however, her physical beauty is far overshadowed by her personality, which is cold and unloving. In this way, this poem serves to remind us that physical attributes should never be valued more than one’s personality.
