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storm which cast us to the ground。
Vain those pauses on the road； each seeming As our final home and
resting…place； And the leaving them； while tears were streaming Of eternal
sorrow down our face； And the hands we held； fond folly dreaming That
no future could their touch efface。
All will then be faded：… night will borrow Stars of light to crown our
perfect rest； And the dim vague memory of faint sorrow Just remain to
show us all was best； Then melt into a divine to…morrow：… Oh； how poor a
day to be so blest！
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VERSE： A RETROSPECT
From this fair point of present bliss； Where we together stand； Let me
look back once more； and trace That long and desert land； Wherein till
now was cast my lot； and I could live； and thou wert not。
Strange that my heart could beat； and know Alternate joy and pain；
That suns could roll from east to west； And clouds could pass in rain； And
the slow hours without thee fleet； nor stay their noiseless silver feet。
What had I then？ a hope； that grew Each hour more bright and dear；
The flush upon the eastern skies That showed the sun was near：… Now
night has faded far away； my sun has risen； and it is day。
A dim Ideal of tender grace In my soul reigned supreme； Too noble
and too sweet I thought To live； save in a dream … Within thy heart to…day
it lies； and looks on me from thy dear eyes。
Some gentle spiritLove I thought … Built many a shrine of pain；
Though each false Idol fell to dust； The worship was not vain； But a faint
radiant shadow cast back from our Love upon the Past。
And Grief； too； held her vigil there； With unrelenting sway Breaking
my cloudy visions down； Throwing my flowers away：… I owe to her fond
care alone that I may now be all thine own。
Fair Joy was thereher fluttering wings At times she strove to raise；
Watching through long and patient nights； Listening long eager days： I
know now that her heart and mine were waiting； Love； to welcome thine。
Thus I can read thy name throughout； And； now her task is done； Can
see that even that faded Past Was thine； beloved one； And so rejoice my
Life may be all consecrated； dear； to thee。
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VERSE： TRUE OR FALSE
So you think you love me； do you？ Well； it may be so； But there are
many ways of loving I have learnt to know。 Many ways； and but one true
way； Which is very rare； And the counterfeits look brightest； Though they
will not wear。
Yet they ring； almost； quite truly； Last （with care） for long； But in time
must break； may shiver At a touch of wrong： Having seen what looked
most real Crumble into dust； Now I chose that test and trial Should
precede my trust。
I have seen a love demanding Time and hope and tears； Chaining all
the past； exacting Bonds from future years； Mind and heart； and joy and
sorrow； Claiming as its fee： That was Love of Self； and never； Never Love
of me！
I have seen a love forgetting All above； beyond； Linking every dream
and fancy In a sweeter bond； Counting every hour worthless； Which was
cold or free：… That； perhaps； wasLove of Pleasure； But not Love of me！
I have seen a love whose patience Never turned aside； Full of tender；
fond devices； Constant； even when tried； Smallest boons were held as
victories； Drops that swelled the sea： That I think wasLove of Power； But
not Love of me！
I have seen a love disdaining Ease and pride and fame； Burning even
its own white pinions Just to feed its flame； Reigning thus； supreme；
triumphant； By the soul's decree； That wasLove of Love； I fancy； But not
Love of me！
I have heardor dreamt； it may be … What Love is when true； How to
test and how to try it； Is the gift of few： These few say （or did I dream it？）
That true Love abides In these very things； but always Has a soul besides。
Lives among the false loves； knowing Just their peace and strife： Bears
the self…same look； but always Has an inner life。 Only a true heart can find
it； True as it is true； Only eyes as clear and tender Look it through and
through。
If it dies； it will not perish By Time's slow decay； True Love only
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grows （they tell me） Stronger； day by day： Painhas been its friend and
comrade； Fateit can defy； Only by its own sword； sometimes Love can
choose to die。
And its grave shall be more noble And more sacred still； Than a throne；
where one less worthy Reigns and rules at will。 Tell me then； do you dare
offer This true Love to me？ 。 。 。 Neither you nor I can answer； We will
wait and see！
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VERSE： GOLDEN WORDS
Some words are played on golden strings； Which I so highly rate； I
cannot bear for meaner things Their sound to desecrate。
For every day they are not meet； Or for a careless tone； They are for
rarest； and most sweet； And noblest use alone。
One word is POET： which is flung So carelessly away； When such as
you and I have sung； We hear it； day by day。
Men pay it for a tender phrase Set in a cadenced rhyme： I keep it as a
crown of praise To crown the kings of time。
And LOVE： the slightest feelings； stirred By trivial fancy； seek
Expression in that golden word They tarnish while they speak。
Nay； let the heart's slow； rare decree； That word in reverence keep
Silence herself should only be More sacred and more deep。
FOR EVER： men have grown at length To use that word； to raise
Some feeble protest into strength； Or turn some tender phrase。
It should be said in awe and fear By true heart and strong will； And
burn more brightly year by year； A starry witness still。
HONOUR： all trifling hearts are fond Of that divine appeal； And
men； upon the slightest bond； Set it as slighter seal。
That word should meet a noble foe Upon a noble field； And echolike
a deadly blow Turned by a silver shield。
Trust me； the worth of words is such They guard all noble things； And
that this rash irreverent touch Has jarred some golden strings。
For what the lips have lightly said The heart will lightly hold； And
things on which we daily tread Are lightly bought and sold。
The sun of every day will bleach The costliest purple hue。 And so our
common daily speech Discolours what was true。
But as you keep some thoughts apart In sacred honoured care； If in the
silence of your heart； Their utterance too be rare；
Then； while a thousand words repeat Unmeaning clamours all；
Melodious golden echoes sweet Shall answer when you call。
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