VERSE: RETURNED — “MISSING” ( FIVE YEARS AFTER )

Yes, I was sad and anxious,

But now, dear, I am gay;

I know that it is wisest

To put all hope away: -

Thank God that I have done so

And can be calm to-day.

For hope deferred — you know it,

Once made my heart so sick:

Now, I expect no longer;

It is but the old trick

Of hope, that makes me tremble,

And makes my heart beat quick.

All day I sit here calmly;

Not as I did before,

Watching for one whose footstep

Comes never, never more...

Hush! was that someone passing,

Who paused beside the door?

For years I hung on chances,

Longing for just one word;

At last I feel it: - silence

Will never more be stirred...

Tell me once more that rumour,

You fancied you had heard.

Life has more things to dwell on

Than just one useless pain,

Useless and past for ever;

But noble things remain,

And wait us all:... you too, dear,

Do you think hope quite vain?

All others have forgotten,

‘ Tis right I should forget,

Nor live on a keen longing

Which shadows forth regret:...

Are not the letters coming?

The sun is almost set.

Now that my restless legion

Of hopes and fears is fled,

Reading is joy and comfort...

... This very day I read,

Oh, such a strange returning

Of one whom all thought dead!

Not that I dream or fancy,

You know all that is past;

Earth has no hope to give me,

And yet: - Time flies so fast

That all but the impossible

Might be brought back at last.