Alone

THE lilies clustered fair and tall; I stood outside the garden wall; I saw her light robe glimmering through The fragrant evening's dusk and dew. She stopped above the lilies pale; Up the clear east the moon did sail; I saw her bend her lovely head O'er her rich roses blushing red. Her slender hand the flowers caressed, Her touch the unconscious blossoms blessed; The rose against her perfumed palm Leaned its soft cheek in blissful calm. I would have given my soul to be That rose she touched so tenderly! I stood alone, outside the gate, And knew that life was desolate.