Classic Poem

We stood and watched it from the shore; —
How shapely 't was! how proud and fair!
But what from her of hope it bore,
And what it left me of despair,
To think on it I do not dare.

I spoke: " Some lover's signal — see!
He hails you from the ship, Lisette. "
Her proud lip curled. " 'T is naught to me, "
She said, and gayly smiled — and yet,
Beshrew me, but her eyes were wet!

And if I gazed on her with aught
Of Love's concern beneath a mien
Too careless for her afterthought,
My reasons were my own, I ween;
What need by her to be foreseen?

Oh, sweet Lisette! and proud as sweet!
What hindered that she should not take
Her heart and show it me? — but fleet
The ship sped on, and in its wake,
What hopes lay drowning for her sake!

For oh, I loved her! I had thought
That very morn to tell her so;
But Love, with doubt already fraught,
Grows to Despair as doubts do grow; —
And did she love him? — yes or no?

The wind blew roughly out to sea;
I felt her shiver as we stood;
" Only soft airs should circle thee! "
I cried, and made as though I would
Have drawn her landward an I could.

She shrank away: " I like it best,
This fierce north breeze; I do not care
For sunny south wind or for west,
And I can bear what others bear, " —
She said, and smoothed her sea-blown hair.

I saw — in spite of her — I saw
Her heart had gone with that great ship!
Fierce blew the north wind, fierce and raw,
I looked to see her roses slip,
Congealed, away from cheek and lip; —

They freshened with the fresh'ning breeze;
I left her standing by the sea.
But life is made of things like these; —
And Life and Death are one to me,
Since that great ship went out to sea!