When we as strangers sought Their catering care, Veiled smiles bespoke their thought Of what we were.
They warmed as they opined Us more than friends -That we had all resigned For love's dear ends.
And that swift sympathy With living love Which quicks the world--maybe The spheres above, Made them our ministers, Moved them to say, "Ah, God, that bliss like theirs Would flush our day!"And we were left alone As Love's own pair;Yet never the love-light shone Between us there!
But that which chilled the breath Of afternoon, And palsied unto death The pane-fly's tune.
The kiss their zeal foretold, And now deemed come, Came not: within his hold Love lingered-numb.
Why cast he on our port A bloom not ours?
Why shaped us for his sport In after-hours?
As we seemed we were not That day afar, And now we seem not what We aching are.
O severing sea and land, O laws of men, Ere death, once let us stand As we stood then!
