University of Virginia Library


128

LINES

[I thought it would be pain to see]

I thought it would be pain to see
Her face grow thin for love of me,
Her lips shut closer and turn grey
If words of anger came that way
From men that spake harsh things of me.
I knew it would be strange to hear
In talk or song that voice of her
That shook me sleeping as awake,
Changed with new music for my sake
If I came face to face with her.
I thought it would be sweet to know
At night, when wind lets the foam blow
From grass to sand and rock to weed
In bitter flakes that fall like seed,
She with shut eyelids feels it blow.
I knew it would be sweet to hold
And strain between my hands the gold
Of her long hair in heavy bands;
This one tress left between my hands
Seems now too pale to look like gold.