Were strays of parting grief and waifs of Heaven

For tears and memories; too delicate

For eyes of earth such souls immaculate!

But then—my God! my God! thus these were left!

I knew then still! but of that song bereft—

That rapturous wonder grasping after grief—

Beyond all thought—weak thought that would be thief."

And bowed and wept into his hands and she

Sorrowful beheld; and resting at her knee

Raised slow her oblong lute and smote its chords;