Classic Poem

Oh, thou wast white! Beyond all earthly splendour
Of utmost love thine utter whiteness shone:
Moon-radiant, subtle, sweet, supremely tender,
Luring with gentle might my passion on.
No singing words can all thy beauty render;
It gleamed one perfect moment — then 'twas gone!
A lily waved on earth her flower-stalk slender
And seemed to smile up at me, soft and wan!

But thou hadst vanished, sweet, and never more
Shall I set foot on that far heavenly shore;
Or see thy whiteness glittering through my sleep.
The lily yet I have — but not thy form,
As for one awful moment, white and warm,
It mingled into mine in rapture deep.