Roses and Rue

A swift thought flashed to my mind that day

When I first saw you, regally tall

‘ Mid a throng of pigmies — a very Saul —

How some woman's heart must admit your sway,

Some woman's soul to your soul be thrall;

( And though not for me were the rapture to prove you,

I thrilled as I thought how a woman might love you! )

Then — strange that our eyes for a moment should meet

And hold each other a breathless space,

That a light as of dawn should leap into your face,

That the lips that were stern should an instant grow sweet —

Ere you turned, at a word, with a courtier's grace.

( And I knew that tho’ many a woman had loved you,

Till that moment, the glance of no woman had moved you! )

Then you stood at my side and one murmured your name,

The proud old name that you worthily wore,

And I drank the soul-chalice Fate's mandate upbore

To my lips, as the fire of your glance leapt to flame;

What need were of words? heart speaks heart evermore —

( And I knew that were mine but the rapture to prove you,

How deeply, how dearly one woman might love you! )