LYRICAL AND DRAMATIC. 175
Postscript. The Twilight of Eternal Hopc.
And yet—perhaps to-morrow
Response and joy and tears ;
A respite unto sorrow,
A putting-by of fears.
A hope and a beginning
Of sweet long days of sinning,
While graying hairs and thinning
Mark the unnoticed years.
A time for song and laughter,
And tender tears that fall ;
A time to think of after,
One long sweet festival ;
A time for love and gladness,
For life and hope and madness,
And scarce a tinge of sadness
To sanctify it all.
Then we may yet, together,
Indwell the land of bliss ;
In blue unclouded weather
By some new Salmacis.
A land where Love engages
Life sweeter than the sage’s,
Where cling we through the ages
In one immortal kiss.