THE KISS.
"She died young!"
"I think not so; her infelicity
Seemed to have years too many."
Webster.
Seemed to have years too many."
Webster.
I come to thee from one
Thou knowest of,—I bear to thee her kiss:
"No bitter words;" she said, "when I am gone
Give thou but only this."
Thou knowest of,—I bear to thee her kiss:
"No bitter words;" she said, "when I am gone
Give thou but only this."
The mouth was wellnigh cold
I took it from, yet hath it power to bless;
The lips that sent it never moved of old
Except in tenderness;
I took it from, yet hath it power to bless;
The lips that sent it never moved of old
Except in tenderness;
And ere they ceased to stir
They trembled, as if then they strove to frame
A word,—the only one 'twixt heaven and her,—
Methought it was thy name.
They trembled, as if then they strove to frame
A word,—the only one 'twixt heaven and her,—
Methought it was thy name.
They wore unto the last
A calm, sad, twilight smile, from patience won;
Her face had light on it that was not cast
From joy's long-sunken sun.
A calm, sad, twilight smile, from patience won;
Her face had light on it that was not cast
From joy's long-sunken sun.
