SACRIFICE

And O most noble, and yet once again

Most noble spirit, if I ever did

Aught that thy goodness frowns on, be it hid

Forever, and deep-buried. Let the rain

Of coming springs fall on the quiet grave.

Perchance some violets will grow to tell

That I, when uttering this last farewell,

Built up a sacrificial architrave;

That I, who worship thee, have love so great,

To live in the horizon thou may'st set;

To stand but in the shadow of the gate,

Faithful, when coward promptings cry, “Forget.”

Ah, lady, when I gave my heart to thee,

It passed into thy lifelong regency.