“‘Shall I—dare I—risk the chances?’ Slowly

Something, was it shyness, love, or pride?

Chilled all my heart and checked my courage wholly;

In wistful silence then I laid it all aside.

“Then I leant against the casement, turning

My tearful eyes toward the far-off West,

Where the golden evening light was burning,

Until my heart throbbed back again to rest.

“And I thought, ‘Love’s soul is not in fetters;

Neither space nor time keeps souls apart;