In A Year

I.

Never any more,  While I live,

Need I hope to see his face  As before.

Once his love grown chill,  Mine may strive:

Bitterly we re-embrace,  Single still.

II.

Was it something said,  Something done,

Vexed him? was it touch of hand,  Turn of head?

Strange! that very way  Love begun:

I as little understand  Love's decay.

II.

When I sewed or drew,  I

How he looked as if I sung,  —-Sweetly too.

If I spoke a word,  First of

Up his cheek the colour sprang,  Then he heard.

IV.

Sitting by my side,  At my feet,

So he breathed but air I breathed,  Satisfied!

I, too, at love's brim  Touched the sweet:

I would die if death bequeathed  Sweet to him.

V.``Speak,

I love thee best!''   He exclaimed:``Let thy love my own foretell!''  I confessed:``Clasp my heart on thine  ``Now unblamed,``Since upon thy soul as well  ``Hangeth mine!''VI.

Was it wrong to own,  Being truth?

Why should all the giving prove  His alone?

I had wealth and ease,  Beauty, youth:

Since my lover gave me love,  I gave these.

II.

That was all I meant,  —-To be just,

And the passion I had raised,  To content.

Since he chose to change  Gold for dust,

If I gave him what he praised  Was it strange?

II.

Would he loved me yet,  On and on,

While I found some way undreamed  —-Paid my debt!

Gave more life and more,  Till, all gone,

He should smile ``She never seemed  ``Mine before.

IX.``What, she felt the while,  ``Must I think?``Love's so different with us men!''He should smile:  ``Dying for my sake—-``White and pink!  ``Can't we touch these bubbles then``But they break?''X.

Dear, the pang is brief,  Do thy part,

Have thy pleasure!

How perplexed  Grows belief!

Well, this cold clay clod  Was man's heart:

Crumble it, and what comes next?  Is it God?