In A Year Analysis

I.



Never any more,

While I live,

Need I hope to see his face

As before.

Once his love grown chill,

Mine may strive:

Bitterly we re-embrace,

Single still.



II.



Was it something said,

Something done,

Vexed him? was it touch of hand,

Turn of head?

Strange! that very way

Love begun:

I as little understand

Love's decay.



III.



When I sewed or drew,

I recall

How he looked as if I sung,

---Sweetly too.

If I spoke a word,

First of all

Up his cheek the colour sprang,

Then he heard.



IV.



Sitting by my side,

At my feet,

So he breathed but air I breathed,

Satisfied!

I, too, at love's brim

Touched the sweet:

I would die if death bequeathed

Sweet to him.



V.



``Speak, I love thee best!''

He exclaimed:

``Let thy love my own foretell!''

I confessed:

``Clasp my heart on thine

``Now unblamed,

``Since upon thy soul as well

``Hangeth mine!''



VI.



Was it wrong to own,

Being truth?

Why should all the giving prove

His alone?

I had wealth and ease,

Beauty, youth:

Since my lover gave me love,

I gave these.



VII.



That was all I meant,

---To be just,

And the passion I had raised,

To content.

Since he chose to change

Gold for dust,

If I gave him what he praised

Was it strange?



VIII.



Would he loved me yet,

On and on,

While I found some way undreamed

---Paid my debt!

Gave more life and more,

Till, all gone,

He should smile ``She never seemed

``Mine before.



IX.



``What, she felt the while,

``Must I think?

``Love's so different with us men!''

He should smile:

``Dying for my sake---

``White and pink!

``Can't we touch these bubbles then

``But they break?''



X.



Dear, the pang is brief,

Do thy part,

Have thy pleasure! How perplexed

Grows belief!

Well, this cold clay clod

Was man's heart:

Crumble it, and what comes next?

Is it God?

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