O THAT 'twere possible After long grief and pain To find the arms of my true love Round me once again!…

A shadow flits before me, Not thou, but like to thee: Ah, Christ! that it were possible For one short hour to see The souls we loved, that they might tell us What and where they be!

Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton. 1809-1885

710. Shadows

THEY seem'd, to those who saw them meet,   The casual friends of every day; Her smile was undisturb'd and sweet,   His courtesy was free and gay.

But yet if one the other's name   In some unguarded moment heard, The heart you thought so calm and tame   Would struggle like a captured bird:

And letters of mere formal phrase   Were blister'd with repeated tears,— And this was not the work of days,   But had gone on for years and years!

Alas, that love was not too strong   For maiden shame and manly pride! Alas, that they delay'd so long   The goal of mutual bliss beside!

Yet what no chance could then reveal,   And neither would be first to own, Let fate and courage now conceal,   When truth could bring remorse alone.