He wishes "the widow'd hour" when he lost his friend, could be forgotten,
or rather recalled like an occasion when the bride leaves her first home
for "other realms of love." There are tears then, but April tears--rain
and sunshine mixed; and as the bride's future office may be to rear and
teach another generation--uniting grandparents with grand-children--so he
has no doubt that to Hallam
"is given
A life that bears immortal fruit
In such great offices as suit
The full-grown energies of heaven."
But then comes this difference. The bride will return in course of time
with her baby, and all at her old home will be happier for her
absence--whereas
"thou and I have shaken hands,
Till growing winters lay me low;
My paths are in the fields I know,
But thine in undiscover'd lands."