MEETING IN THE WOODS

Through ferns and moss the path wound to

A hollow where the touchmenots

Swung horns of honey filled with dew;

And where — like foot-prints — violets blue

And bluets made sweet sapphire blots,

‘ Twas there that she had passed he knew.

The grass, the very wilderness

On either side, breathed rapture of

Her passage:‘ twas her hand or dress

That touched some tree — a slight caress —

That made the wood-birds sing above;

Her step that made the flowers up-press.

He hurried, till across his way,

Foam-footed, bounding through the wood,

A brook, like some wild girl at play,

Went laughing loud its roundelay;

And there upon its bank she stood,

A sunbeam clad in woodland gray.

And when she saw him, all her face

Grew to a wildrose by the stream;

And to his breast a moment's space

He gathered her; and all the place

Seemed conscious of some happy dream

Come true to add to Earth its grace.

Some joy, on which Heav'n was intent —

For which God made the world — the bliss,

The love, that raised her innocent

Pure face to his that, smiling, bent

And sealed confession with a kiss —

Life needs no other testament.