THE LAST WORD

So many a dream and hope that went and came,

So many and sweet, that love thought like to be,

Of hours as bright and soft as those for me

That made our hearts for song's sweet love the same,

Lie now struck dead, that hope seems one with shame.

O Death, thy name is Love: we know it, and see

The witness: yet for very love's sake we

Can hardly bear to mix with thine his name.

Philip, how hard it is to bid thee part

Thou knowest, if aught thou knowest where now thou art

Of us that loved and love thee. None may tell

What none but knows — how hard it is to say

The word that seals up sorrow, darkens day,

And bids fare forth the soul it bids farewell.