"Two shall be born the whole wide world apart
And each in different tongues and have no thought
Each of the other's being and no heed;
And these, o'er unknown seas to unknown lands
Shall cross, escaping wreck, defying death
And all unconsciously shape every act
And send each wandering step to this one end
That, one day, out of darkness they shall meet
And read life's meaning in each other's eyes.
"And two shall walk some narrow way of life
So nearly side by side, that should one turn
Ever so little space to left or right
They needs must stand acknowledged face to face.
And yet, with wistful eyes that never meet,
With groping hands that never clasp, and lips
Calling in vain to ears that never hear
They seek each other all their weary days
And die unsatisfied—and this is Fate!"
When I realize the beautiful and terrible truth of these two verses, I grow dumb with terror, and turn filled to overflowing with gratitude that, no matter what others may have done or will do; in spite of sad books and mournful plays; in spite of winter winds and illness and sorrow and the bitter disappointment of hope deferred; in spite of bodily ills and heart sickness and the times when even the strongest soul faints by the roadside, no matter what betide, I can always turn my face homeward, and there will be Aubrey.