And her embrace there in our bed,

Within my very being, not outside!

.... We have each other more, much more,”

He said, “now than before.

This very moment while I shake

Your hand, my friend,

Not only I,

But she is touching you—and laughs with me because I cried

For her.... People would think me crazy if I told.

But something in what you said made me bold

To let you meet my bride!”

It was not madness. David’s eye

Was clear and open-seeing.

His life

Had faced in death and understood in his young wife,

As I when Celia died,

The secret of God’s being.

VII

Among good citizens, I praise

Again a woman whom I knew and know,

 Prev. P 43/58 next