University of Virginia Library


30

CONSOLATION.

Yes, let us speak; with lips confirming
The inner pledge that eyes reveal;—
Bright eyes that death shall dim for ever,
And lips that silence soon shall seal.
Yes, let us make our claim recorded
Against the powers of earth and sky,
And that cold boon their laws award us—
Just once to live, and once to die.
Thou say'st that fate is frosty nothing,
But love the flame of souls that are:—
“Two spirits approach and at their touching
Behold an everlasting star!”
High thoughts, O love; well!—let us speak them!
Yet bravely face at least this fate,—
To know the dreams of us that dream them
On blind unknowing things await.

31

If years from winters' chill recover,
If fields are green and rivers run;
If thou and I behold each other,
Hangs it not all on yonder sun?
So, while that mighty lord is gracious
With prodigal beam to flood the skies,
Let us be glad that he can spare us
The light to kindle lovers' eyes,
And die assured should life's new wonder,
In any world our slumbers break,
These the first words that each will utter,
“Belovèd, art thou too awake?”