Collected Works (Vol. II)

AFTER 85 We sobbed, and stretched our arms out, and despaired, And—parted. Out the brute-side of truth flared ; ‘¢Thank God I’ve finished with that foolishness | ”’ II. AH! there’ be two sides to all shapes of truth ! I might indeed go back to bitter toil, Prune the mind’s vine, and gather in the spoil Rough-conquered from fields, without ruth Pillaging Nature, pawning youth For some strange guerdon (or its counter- foil) Gainless or not-to-be-gained, priestly or royal, Profane, canaille—I know not, in good sooth ! books, men, strength and I might do this: or else I might repose Wrapped in the urned leaves of my love’s blown rose, Seek her in spirit, and commune, and wait Her freedom and the rapture to enclose In my own house her beauty intimate. I am a fool, tossing a coin with Fate. If. Is love indeed eternal? Otherwise Is evolution an eternal plan? Must I move upward in the stream of Man, God-ward: my life as Christ to sacrifice, As Buddha to repress: to grow so wise, Space, time shall lie within my finger- span? I know not which I wish: either I can; Not both, unless all meditation lies. I am not sure: if love as great as ours May not be God to part of us at least, Leaving the rest to find its heights and powers In other spheres; that, night’s enamoured priest5 This, on the lake the dewy lotus-flowers That lift their jewelled hearts toward the East. AFTER. Now, when the sun falls in the dismal sky And no light leaps beneath the plunging prow, I know the fulness of my sorrow now :-— That all my talk and laughter was a lie; That as each hour widens the gulfs that sigh Between us; the truth scores upon my brow Sigils of silence, burns in me the vow ‘‘T love you, and shall love you till I die.” Whether next year, as fondly we made oath, Shall see us meet at least, whether as wife I shall at last gather the whole vow’s breath— Not heaven nor hell shall break our solemn troth. I love you, and shall love you all my life, I love you, and shall love you after death.