He heard no step, but she was there;

Were bodied from the viewless air,

And half in misery’s aching void

His bitter being he enjoyed,

To selfish death is madly hurled,

[Pg 5]

Shuts out the wholesome living world—

But yesterday, in merry mood,

That shamed his beggar’s attitude,

Make havoc of our life and powers,

For peace that never shall be ours,

Came by the old familiar spot:

Bent o’er him, and he knew it not;

[Pg 6]

For him that would not stir nor speak

That faintly tinged his haggard cheek,

This awful tryst may be the last.

Had fallen on him ere she passed—

And silence quickened into sound,

And life began its daily round—

 Prev. P 4/30 next