"While the true, living future Grows pure, wise, and strong." So I cast the gold heart, I had worn for so long, In the Lake, and bound on it A Stone-and a Wrong! III. OOK, this little golden Heart Was a true-love shrine For a tress of hair; I held them, Heart and tress, as mine, Like the Love which gave the token- Broken is the golden heart, Lost the tress of hair; Ah, the shrine is empty, vacant, Desolate, and bare! So the token should depart, When Love dies within the heart. Fast and deep the river floweth, Floweth to the west; I will cast the golden trinket In its cold dark breast, Flow, oh river, deep and fast, TWO LOVES. EEP within my heart of hearts, dear, Two Loves are together reigning, Both are crowned like Kings; While my life, still uncomplaining, Rests beneath their wings. So they both will rule my heart, dear, No sway can be deeper, stronger, Growing, as it lasts the longer, One all life and time transfigures; Meaner things with magic splendour, Old, yet ever new: This, so strong and yet so tender,— Is... my Love for you. Should it fail,-forgive my doubting In this world of pain,— Yet my other Love would ever Steadfastly remain ; And I know that I could never Turn to that in vain. Though its radiance may be fainter, Yet its task is wide; For it lives to comfort sorrows, Strengthen, calm, and guide, And from Trust and Honour borrows All its peace and pride. Will you blame my dreaming, even If the first were flown? Ah, I would not live without it, It is all your own: And the other can you doubt it?— Yours, and yours alone. A WOMAN'S LAST WORD. ELL-the links are broken, All is past; This farewell, when spoken, Is the last. I have tried and striven All in vain ; Such bonds must be riven, Spite of pain, And never, never, never Knit again. So I tell you plainly, It must be: I shall try, not vainly, To be free; Truer, happier chances Wait me yet, While you, through fresh fancies, Can forget ; |