The Two Hands.
A large brown hand by labour stained1
Four snowy fingers prest,2
As though a swarthy Cyclops strained3
A white maid to his breast.4
And fondly did that brown hand hold5
Those fingers white as snow,6
As though it were a link of gold7
That would not let them go.8
Time passes on. The two hands clasp9
Another newly given :10
As though they’d found an angel’s grasp11
To draw them up to heaven.12
Once more the brown hand and the white13
Are linked. So cold ! so fast !—14
As though true loving hearts unite15
More closely at the last.16