THE FORGOTTEN WORD

By Gilbert Parker

Once in the twilight of the Austrian hills,

A word came to me, wonderful and good;

If I had spoken it — that message of the stars —

Love would have filled thy blood;

Love would have sent thee pulsing to my arms,

Laughing with joy, thy heart a nestling bird

An instant passed — it fled; and now I seek in vain

For that forgotten word.