Classic Poem

I

A WIFE SPEAKS

It was upon an autumn day
We trod the pasture fields
To gather golden-rod and cull
The calm that twilight yields.

And we were lovers, he and I,
Though love was unconfessed:
It was that early, thrilling time,
Of all love's times the best.

And yet some careless word or look,
Some unconsidered tone,
I know not what, between us twain
A barrier had thrown.

We loitered by the old stone wall
A moment, wistfully,
He watched the clouds a space, and then
Let down the bars for me.

And up the windy hill we climbed,
And sought the mossy stone
Where oft we came to watch the west —
But not the west alone.

He gazed as he would read my soul,
And I — the glowing skies,
But through and through, in every pulse,
I felt those gazing eyes.

The sun had set — and yet — and yet —
We sat beneath the stars:
He stirred — his breath came fast — he said:
" Sweetheart, let down the bars. "

O Love, it was thine hour of hours!
How swift, how strong thou art!
One word, just " Darling! " trembled forth,
And we were heart to heart.

The cricket at our happy feet,
How cheery was his strain!
How kindly looked the heavens down!
Looked up, the waiting plain!

And hand in hand we tread that plain,
Beneath the watching stars;
So near, so dear, our lives have grown
There is no room for bars.

II

A WOMAN THINKS

O Soul to whom my soul was knit,
I know not where or when;
Towards whom I yearn, to whom I turn
From all the world of men!

By stirrings of a spirit power
That comes I know not whence;
By all the fine and subtle thrills
That rouse the slumbering sense;

By all the conscious blood that springs
To light the changing cheek;
By all the faltering, by the tones
Of all the words you speak;

By what the searching eyes reveal
When soul is finding soul —
When eager glances leap to meet,
And spurn the will's control; —

By all the many signs of Love,
By all Love's truth, I know
Your spirit cleaves to mine — and yet —
I pray you tell me so.

We meet by day, we part by night;
We join our clinging hands;
And still, between us and delight
A spirit barrier stands:

Alas! these phantoms should not be,
That keep our souls apart;
My friend, my lover, and my love;
Let down the bars, dear heart.