ISOLATION
Self-pois’d, each soul its course pursues
In light or dark, companionless:
Drop into drop may blend the dews—
The spirit’s flaw is loneliness.
In light or dark, companionless:
Drop into drop may blend the dews—
The spirit’s flaw is loneliness.
If seemingly two souls unite,
’Tis but as joins yon silent mere
The stream that through it, flashing bright,
Carries its waters swift and clear.
’Tis but as joins yon silent mere
The stream that through it, flashing bright,
Carries its waters swift and clear.
The fringes of the rushing tide
May on the lake’s calm bosom sleep—
Its hidden spirit doth abide
Apart, still bearing toward the deep.
May on the lake’s calm bosom sleep—
Its hidden spirit doth abide
Apart, still bearing toward the deep.
O Love, to me more dear than life!
O Friend, more faithful than a brother!
How many a bitter inward strife
Our souls have never told each other!
O Friend, more faithful than a brother!
How many a bitter inward strife
Our souls have never told each other!
We journey side by side for years,
We dream our lives, our hopes are one—
And with same chance-said word appears
The spanless gulf, so long unknown!
We dream our lives, our hopes are one—
And with same chance-said word appears
The spanless gulf, so long unknown!
For candour’s want yet neither blame;
Even to ourselves but half-confessed,
Glows in each heart some silent flame,
Blooms some hope-violet of the breast.
Even to ourselves but half-confessed,
Glows in each heart some silent flame,
Blooms some hope-violet of the breast.
90
