Alice Furlong (1866–1946)

I AM jealous: I am true:

Sick at heart for love of you,

O my share of the world!

I am cold, O, cold as stone

To all men save you alone.

Seven times slower creeps the day

When your face is far away,

O my share of the world!

Seven times darker falls the night

When you gladden not my sight.

Measureless my joy and pride

Would you choose me for your bride,

O my share of the world!

For your face is my delight,

Morn and even, noon and night.

To the dance and to the wake

Still I go but for your sake,

O my share of the world!

Just to see your face awhile,

Meet your eyes and win your smile.

And the gay word on my lip

Never lets my secret slip

To my share of the world!

Light my feet trip over the green—

But my heart cries in the keen!

My poor mother sighs anew

When my looks go after you,

O my share of the world!

And my father’s brow grows black

When you smile and turn your back.

I would part with wealth and ease,

I would go beyond the seas,

For my share of the world!

I would leave my hearth and home

If he only whisper’d ‘Come!’

Houseless under sun and dew,

I would beg my bread with you,

O my share of the world!

Houseless in the snow and storm,

Your heart’s love would keep me warm.

I would pray and I would crave

To be with you in the grave,

O my share of the world!

I would go through fire and flood,

I would give up all but God

For my share of the world!