ONE OF TWAIN

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

One of twain, twin-born with flowers that waken,

Now hath passed from sense of sun and rain:

Wind from off the flower-crowned branch hath shaken

One of twain.

One twin flower must pass, and one remain:

One, the word said soothly, shall be taken,

And another left: can death refrain?

Two years since was love's light song mistaken,

Blessing then both blossoms, half in vain?

Night outspeeding light hath overtaken

One of twain.