Classic Poem

( 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 some one 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 rumor
You fancied you had heard.

Life has more things to dwell on
Than just one useless pain,
Useless and past forever;
But noble things remain,
And wait us all: ... you too, dear,
Do you think hope 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,
O, 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.