ONCE THERE WAS TIME

Let no tears fall

If then they fell not.

If eyes told nothing,

Now let them tell not.

Once there was time

For words, looks and tears:

That time is past, is past —

Heart, thou shalt tell not!

Beyond any speech

Is silence bitter,

As between love and love

Nothing is sweeter.

Once there was time, time yet

For words, looks and tears...

Past, past, past, past —

Nothing so bitter!

Now if tears come

That then fell never;

If eyes such sad, sad things

Look now for ever;

If words, looks or tears

Tremble with telling,

Oh, what returning voice is it whispers

Never, never, never!