When eve is gathering round us, with the gloom

Of stormy clouds, a time to part our steps

Upon the darkening wild?

Elm. (coldly.) There needs not this.

Why shouldst thou think I shunn’d thee

Gon. Should the love

That shone o’er many years, th’ unfading love,

Whose only change hath been from gladdening smiles

To mingling sorrows and sustaining strength,

Thus lightly be forgotten?