PART III.

LOVE UNTO DEATH.

Hand in hand we stood confiding, Boy and maiden, hand in hand, Where the path, in twain dividing, Reach'd the Undiscover'd Land.

Oh, the Hebe then beside me, Oh, the embodied Dream of Youth, With an angel's soul to guide me, And a woman's heart to soothe!

Like the Morning in the gladness Of the smile that lit the skies; Liker Twilight in the sadness Lurking deep in starry eyes!

Gaudier flowerets had effaced thee In the formal garden set; Nature in the shade had placed thee With thy kindred violet;

As the violet to completeness Coming even ere the day; All thy life a silent sweetness Waning with a warmer ray.

So, upon the verge of sorrow Stood we, blindly, hand in hand, Whispering of a happy morrow In that undiscover'd land.

Thou, O meek one, fame foretelling, Grown ambitious but for me; While my heart, if proudly swelling, Beat--ah, not for Fame, but thee!

In that summer-noon we parted, Life redundant over all. Once again--O broken-hearted-- When the autumn leaves did fall,

Meeting--life from life to sever! Parting,--as depart the dead, When the dark "Farewell for ever," Fades from marble lips, unsaid;

As upon a bark that slowly Lessens lone adown the sea, Looks abandon'd Melancholy-- Did thy still eyes follow me!

Wilful in thy self devotion, Patient on the desert shore, Gazing, gazing, till from ocean Waned thy last hope evermore.

Gentle victim, they might bind thee, But to fetter was to slay; As a statue they enshrined thee, At a sepulchre to pray;

Bade the bloodless lips not falter; Bade the cold despair be brave; Yes, the next morn at the altar! But the next moon in the grave!

Little dream'd they when they bore thee To the nuptial funeral shrine, That to ME they did restore thee, And release thy soul to mine!

Well thy noble heart might smother Nature's agonizing cry, What can perjure to another Faith--if firm eno' to die!

Yet can ev'n the grave regain thee? Gain as human love would see? Darling--Pardon, I profane thee; Angel, bend and comfort me!