No Message

She heard the story of the end, Each message, too, she heard; And there was one for every friend; For her alone -- no word. And shall she bear a heavier heart, And deem his love was fled; Because his soul from earth could part Leaving her name unsaid? No -- No! -- Though neither sign nor sound A parting thought expressed -- Not heedless passed the Homeward-Bound Of her he loved the best. Of voyage-perils, bravely borne, He would not tell the tale; Of shattered planks and canvas torn, And war with wind and gale. He waited till the light-house star Should rise against the sky; And from the mainland, looming far, The forest scents blow by. He hoped to tell -- assurance sweet! -- That pain and grief were o'er -- What blessings haste the soul to meet, Ere yet within the door. Then one farewell he thought to speak When all the rest were past -- As in the parting-hour we seek The dearest hand the last. And while for this delaying but To see Heaven's opening Gate -- Lo, it received him -- and was shut -- Ere he could say "I wait."