VII[ToC]
If I must live without you, I must learn
To love the earth and all that grows once more,
With the old good love that satisfied before
I saw you smile. Now, let me turn and turn,
Your memory covers earth and sky; I yearn
For you, and not for Spring; my heart is sore
With absence, not with Winter's length. Of yore,
When climbing noons began to softly burn,
There seemed a tender joy in every bud
That swelled and burst, in every little spear
That broke the clods; and Spring sang in my blood
As in the sap; and all that lived was dear.
These treasures now are veiled and strange and far,
Whilst I go wandering where your footprints are.
VIII[ToC]
Beloved! are we not wanderers on a road
Unknown, that grope their way among the rocks
Together?—Yes, together; for these shocks
Our hearts have borne and given, part not, goad
Unto no hatred. Though I be your load
Of care and you my anguish, something locks
Our hands, my brother: Destiny, that mocks
Man's thinkings, and here finds a new strange mode
Of welding chance-divided loves, a link
That's more than human, that is half divine,
Since, beggared of you, still I hold you mine
Above all bonds. So love me well. We'll drink
Of all pure streams together, dear, and break
These rocks to sand for one another's sake.
IX[ToC]
Yes, love me, love me well. You need not fear
To hurt me further. Like a careless knight
That riding lonely, with averted sight,
Has struck a passer unawares, so here
Have you struck me amid the branches sere
Of this dark forest. If you now alight,
Give water to my lips and through the night
Keep peril from me, with the morning's clear
New dawn I'll rise again, and both will reap
The mercy of the wound you dealt. Asleep,
Awake, I'll be your shield-bearer, and guard
Your steps upon this road so long and hard.
Then help us both, for all the love you give
But turns to strength whereby we both may live.