“ We wandered down, at dawn of day,1
A narrow path—heart close to heart ;2
At noon, upon the world’s highway,3
I walk to right, you left—apart.4
“ No more we have our Heaven together.5
How bright is yours ! How black is mine !6
Your choice is still the sunniest weather,7
I keep the side where nought will shine.8
“ Where’er you walk, gleams round you play—9
The very sand has diamond beads ;10
No beams e’er light with gladdening ray11
The cold grey soil my footstep treads.12
“ Bird-songs and whispers full of sweets,13
Caressing, woo your eye and ear ;14
Your hair the breeze, adoring, greets ;15
Your lip the bee, entranced, draws near.16
“ And I—I can but sing and sigh ;17
My heart’s deep wound is ill at ease ;18
From leaf-hid nests the fondling cry19
Disturbs me more than it can please.20
“ But, Love ! a sky for ever bright21
May make too keen our mortal joy ;22
The air’s embrace has too much might ;23
The incense e’en of flowers may cloy.24
“ Then yearns the soul for that calm rest25
That closes round at closing day,26
With half-shut eye, on some true breast27
To watch Life’s fever ebb away.28
“ Will you not come and take your seat29
By that highway at evening fall ?30
I’ll wait you there. We two shall meet31
Where one deep shadow wraps it all.”32