Childhood Friends
They are all but as painted figures that roam
Over ceiling and wall through a great hall's space,
Where we two as ever stand face to face.
My fate with your fate is interwrought,
And thousands must fight the fight we have fought,
Where love attains more than love can give.
The one whom you love as long as you live,
The one who has gained your every thought,
Is old and faded; you never can
Give her the love that love seeks to own.
You shall wander about as a homeless man,
Shall reap but thistles where flowers you've sown.
But ever your longing heart shall grieve
In its wish to love her and her alone,
As birds might love when their glad wings cleave
The air all aglow with the summer's fire,
And your heart shall be wasted with vain desire."
Over ceiling and wall through a great hall's space,
Where we two as ever stand face to face.
My fate with your fate is interwrought,
And thousands must fight the fight we have fought,
Where love attains more than love can give.
The one whom you love as long as you live,
The one who has gained your every thought,
Is old and faded; you never can
Give her the love that love seeks to own.
You shall wander about as a homeless man,
Shall reap but thistles where flowers you've sown.
But ever your longing heart shall grieve
In its wish to love her and her alone,
As birds might love when their glad wings cleave
The air all aglow with the summer's fire,
And your heart shall be wasted with vain desire."
It was thus that she spoke the day he went,
And she fell in a faint as his wheels rolled away.
Now rising, above the side-board she leant
Where the Christmas tarts and cookies lay.
And she fell in a faint as his wheels rolled away.
Now rising, above the side-board she leant
Where the Christmas tarts and cookies lay.
That evening she dealt them every one
To the manor servants, who when it was done
Were filled with surprise by the kitchen board
At the prodigal food and candle-light.
Her sisters alone caught the whispered word:
"My dearest memory makes its flight
Through the storm to guest in our house to-night,
To the manor servants, who when it was done
Were filled with surprise by the kitchen board
At the prodigal food and candle-light.
Her sisters alone caught the whispered word:
"My dearest memory makes its flight
Through the storm to guest in our house to-night,
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