We quote as biography that which is too well known to be quoted as poetry.
TO MARY.
The twentieth year is well nigh past.
Since first our sky was overcast:-- Ah, would that this might be the last! My Mary! Thy spirits have a fainter flow, I see thee daily weaker grow:-- 'Twas my distress that brought thee low, My Mary! Thy needles, once a shining store, For my sake restless heretofore, Now rust disused, and shine no more, My Mary! For though thou gladly wouldst fulfil The same kind office for me still, Thy sight now seconds not thy will, My Mary! But well thou play'dst the housewife's part, And all thy threads with magic art, Have wound themselves about this heart, My Mary! Thy indistinct expressions seem Like language utter'd in a dream: Yet me they charm, whate'er the theme, My Mary! Thy silver locks, once auburn bright, Are still more lovely in my sight Than golden, beams of orient light, My Mary! For could I view nor them nor thee, What sight worth seeing could I see P The sun would rise in vain for me, My Mary! Partakers of thy sad decline, Thy hands their little force resign; Yet gently press'd, press gently mine, My Mary! Such feebleness of limbs thou provest, That now at every step thou movest, Upheld by two; yet still thou lovest, My Mary! And still to love, though press'd with ill, In wintry age to feel no chill, With me is to be lovely still, My Mary! But ah! by constant heed I know, How oft the sadness that I show Transforms thy smiles to looks of woe, My Mary! And should my future lot be cast With much resemblance of the past, Thy worn-out heart will break at last, My Mary! Even love, at least the power of manifesting love, began to betray its mortality.

She who had been so devoted, became, as her mind failed, exacting, and instead of supporting her partner, drew him down.

He sank again into the depth of hypochondria.

As usual, his malady took the form of religious horrors, and he fancied that he was ordained to undergo severe penance for his sins.

Six days he sat motionless and silent, almost refusing to take food.