Marah :: :: University of Virginia Library

I have seen her, O how often I have seen her, but to see
Her mysterious evanescence, at a glance, a touch, a tone,
And how often, O how often, has my heart exclaim'd, “'Tis she!”
When, in turning to embrace her, I discover'd she was gone!

2

Gone as soon as greeted! Lost as soon as found!
And then again
All the search for her to recommence, discouraged, otherwhere!

111

All the doubt, “Will not the next search, as the last was, be in vain?
Was it she herself, or only a mirage of painted air?”

3

Nay! I could not be mistaken, could not see her and not know,
Could not take for her another! I, whose life has all been pass'd
In predicting her arrival, be its coming ne'er so slow,
And rejoicing in her presence, be its going ne'er so fast!

4

In the moment that I saw her, she was there. This much is sure.
All the rest may be illusion; all the time that went before,

112

All the time that follow'd after! For 'tis falsehoods that endure,
It is truth that, coming, going, lasts a moment and no more.

5

She is gone, and I have lost her! Yet a little while ago
She was there; and for a moment in your eyes I saw her smile,
In your voice I caught her accents, on your lips I felt the glow
Of her kiss, and I am certain she was there, tho' but a while.

6

Had you recognised her also, had you known her as I knew,
It had then been well for both of us. But, thro' some fault in each,

113

Now the search for her, you cannot aid, must all begin anew,
And the moment we retain'd not is already out of reach.

7

Hush! No vain recriminations! Life has years to count upon,
But for love are moments only. Love, that all the whiles between,
Looking forward to their coming, or recalling them when gone,
Bears two names: the one, “ I shall be!” and the other, other “ I have been!”