Una

In the whole wide world there was but one,

Others for others, but she was mine,

The one fair woman beneath the sun.

From her gold-flax curls’ most marvellous shine

Down to the lithe and delicate feet

There was not a curve nor a waving line

But moved in a harmony firm and sweet

With all of passion my life could know.

By knowledge perfect and faith complete

I was bound to her,— as the planets go

Adoring around their central star,

Free, but united for weal or woe.

She was so near and Heaven so far —

She grew my heaven and law and fate

Rounding my life with a mystic bar

No thought beyond could violate.

Our love to fulness in silence nursed

Grew calm as morning, when through the gate

Of the glimmering East the sun has burst,

With his hot life filling the waiting air.

She kissed me once,— that last and first

Of her maiden kisses was placid as prayer.

Against all comers I sat with lance

In rest, and, drunk with my joy, I sware

Defiance and scorn to the world's worst chance.

In vain! for soon unhorsed I lay

At the feet of the strong god Circumstance —

And never again shall break the day,

And never again shall fall the night

That shall light me, or shield me, on my way

To the presence of my sad soul's delight.

Her dead love comes like a passionate ghost

To mourn the Body it held so light,

And Fate, like a hound with a purpose lost,

Goes round bewildered with shame and fright.

Through the long days and years

What will my loved one be,

Parted from me?

Through the long days and years.

Always as then she was

Loveliest, brightest, best,

Blessing and blest,—

Always as then she was.

Never on earth again

Shall I before her stand,

Touch lip or hand,—

Never on earth again.

But while my darling lives

Peaceful I journey on,

Not quite alone,

Not while my darling lives.