As you said to me laughingly, “Keep it now!”

And dazed and alone in a dream I stand

Kissing the ghost of your beautiful hand.

When first I loved in the long ago,

And held your hand as I told you so—

Pressed and caressed it and gave it a kiss,

And said, “I could die for a hand like this!”

Little I dreamed love’s fullness yet

Had I to ripen when eyes were wet,

And prayers were vain in their wild demands