Feda with Other Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

And neither spoke.
All that long morning through,
He sat there by the window, hardly knew
The passing hours, self-tortured, till she came
To his side softly and so breathed his name.

Then he looked up and saw her, scarcely known,
So changed since yester even, only grown
Spiritually beautiful; the grace
Of inspiration on an angel-face
Seemed lightening in her eyes, as one awoke
From childhood into life or death. She spoke.

“This hour must part us two for ever; nay,
“No word! This is no easy thing to say.
“Someday, with calmer insight, you will know
“I loved you well enough to dare to go,
“And save your soul and mine. Dear, we must keep
“To the old holdfasts knowing not how deep
“The thornless way might lead us. Hear me yet!
“The past is past and gone beyond regret;
“I have undone the very noblest life
“Now living.—Yet no less am I his wife
“Here in the world for evermore. Nay, dear,
“We cannot alter this. I see more clear,
“Because I love you better than my peace,
“The bond is bound, and there is no release.
“Better to suffer silent all life through,
“Than do a deed to hunger to undo

“For ever and ever! Shall not death atone
“Life's failure? Now will I go back alone
“To the good sisters, they will take me in,
“And I will live remission of my sin.

“And you, for this last charge of love I lay
“Upon you, for my sake, by night by day,
“Rest not for ever till sometime, somewhere
“You find him living, and I have no fear
“But you will find him, if you seek where'er
“Some human wrong is crying for redress,
“Some human need for love; and you will bless
“The very pain that puts our souls apart,
“And be as once you were. And now, dear heart,
“This one thing yet I pray you, stir not hence
“Until to-morrow, I shall send you thence
“A certain message; so shall you be freed
“To start upon my quest. Farewell, God speed!
“For I shall never look you in the face
“Till I can meet you in the spiritual place,
“With no least cloud between us.—We shall tell
“The rest hereafter,—only now, farewell!”

100

But he bent low in self-abasement, heard,
And touched her hand, and answered not a word.
He had no will but hers, and he would do
Her bidding now and ever; for he knew
There was no other way; but he would make
His life's atonement living for her sake.
And when he looked to bless her she was gone,
And he was left in the wide world alone,
Till love in life imprisoned find release.

Only the Psyche lives—a masterpiece
Of sculpture, so men say;—the type of love
Unmarred by passion, winged to pass above
Into those highest havens dimly dreamed,
Where hope and faith that trusted are redeemed,
Whence sometimes, as from lost skies overcast,
And clearer, surer as we hold it fast,
This best is whispered to sad souls that pray,
“Somewhere, an'thou be true, somewhere, some day.”