THEY seemed, to those who saw them meet, The casual friends of every day; Her smile was undisturbed and sweet, His courtesy was free and gay. But yet if one the other's name In some unguarded moment heard, The heart you thought so calm and tame Would struggle like a captured bird: And letters of mere formal phrase Were blistered with repeated tears,-- And this was not the work of days, But had gone on for years and years! Alas, that love was not too strong For maiden shame and manly pride! Alas, that they delayed so long The goal of mutual bliss beside! Yet what no chance could then reveal, And neither would be first to own, Let fate and courage now conceal, When truth could bring remorse alone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO MY HONOURED FRIEND DR. CHARLETON by JOHN DRYDEN RHAPSODY ON A WINDY NIGHT by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT THE IDEA OF BALANCE IS TO BE FOUND IN HERONS AND LOONS by JAMES HARRISON IMPROMPTU ON CHARLES II (2) by JOHN WILMOT YOUTH AND CALM by MATTHEW ARNOLD STANZAS ON THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS by BERNARD BARTON |