II[ToC]
My Friend of Friends! in you my heart's at rest,
That wandered homeless as the ocean-wind
Hither and thither, seeking still to find
Some refuge. As a ship that east and west
Roams havenless, and quits each shore distressed,
So wandered I, so left each land behind,
Bearing my soul as helmsman, sage but blind;
And still we journeyed on at Fate's behest.
But now I hold my harbour, and the ship
Casts anchor here. The unnested winds that blow
May reach me still and rock me to and fro.
What matter? Here is Peace that bids me slip
Closer and closer to the enfolding shore,
Lower the sails, and stay for evermore.
III[ToC]
Are we not happy? though this bond of ours
Be strange and out of harmony with life
As men accept it, in this world of strife
Between the spirit and the flesh?—Dark hours
Are in the doom of every love; no flowers
Bloom rainless; wind and war and pain are rife
Within us all.—Yet we are happy. Wife
Or sister, these are earth-words; the soul showers
Its gifts of love and seeks no earthly bond.
So ask we none but, smiling, soul to soul
Stand gathered in Love's very essence, whole
And indivisible. These white strong bands
Suffice; 'tis but the shell, too frail and fond,
That weeps, alas! and wrings her mortal hands.
IV[ToC]
Farewell! you cannot go from me, my dear,
For I have closed you in my inmost heart,
Beyond the reach of earthly things that part
The loving from the loved. Now far or near
Ceases to be; I am where you are; here
Or there, no matter. Mild should be the smart
Of leave-taking, where nothing stays apart
But what is mortal, and where souls are clear.
Beloved! I can but lose you earthly-wise;
The hunger of the years is stilled; no pain
Of solitude can chill my heart again,
Possessing you. Therefore with steadfast eyes
I say farewell, O brother! nor dare weep
My little loss, with all this wealth to keep.