It echoes the cry of a broken heart, It grieves o'er a "might have been," It holds all the passionate tears that start When our heaven and our earth drift far apart, And the way lies dark between.
It stills all our laughter, and whispers low— 'Tis heart-strings it plays on, that ancient bow!
TO-DAY YOU UNDERSTAND.
You lifted eyes pain-filled to me, Sad, questioning eyes that did demand Why I should thrust back, childishly, The friendship warm you offered me— Ah, sweet, to-day you understand!
'Twas that my heart beat rapturously At word of thine, at touch of hand, At tender glance vouchsafed to me The while I knew it must not be— Ah, sweet, to-day you understand!
There's neither pain nor mystery In that far-off and fragrant land To which you journeyed fearlessly; By gates of pearl and jasper sea— Ah, sweet, to-day you understand!