Their Sweet Sorrow

They meet to say farewell: Their way Of saying this is hard to say--. He holds her hand an Instant, wholly Distressed-- and she unclasps it slowly, He lends his gaze evasively Over the printed page that she Recurs to, with a new-moon shoulder Glimpsed from the lace-mists that infold her. The clock, beneath its crystal cup, Discreetly clicks-- 'Quick! Act! Speak up!' A tension circles both her slender Wrists-- and her raised eyes flash in splendor, Even as he feels his dazzled own--. Then blindingly, round either thrown, They feel a stress of arms that ever Strain tremblingly-- and 'Never! Never!' Is whispered brokenly, with half A sob, like a belated laugh--, While cloyingly their blurred kiss closes--, Sweet as the dew's lip to the rose's.