I should not dare to leave my friend,

I should not dare to leave my friend,
Because — because if he should die
While I was gone — and I — too late —
Should reach the Heart that wanted me —

If I should disappoint the eyes
That hunted — hunted so — to see —
And could not bear to shut until
They "noticed" me — they noticed me —

If I should stab the patient faith
So sure I'd come — so sure I'd come —
It listening — listening — went to sleep —
Telling my tardy name —

My Heart would wish it broke before —
Since breaking then — since breaking then —
Were useless as next morning's sun —
Where midnight frosts — had lain!