Had chased a transient shadow from thy brow —

Unto my heart came the first thrill of sorrow;

An omen of the weight it beareth now.

We parted: I those mournful thoughts to smother

Within a breast till then unknown to care.

I knew thou lovedst only as a brother —

A sister’s love I had no wish to share.

In that short hour I had lived many years;

And now, alas! must share the common lot —

The lot of woman—suffering and tears;