Quis Separabit?

All my life's short years had been stern and sterile -- I stood like one whom the blasts blow back -- As with shipmen whirled through the straits of Peril, So fierce foes menaced my every track. But I steeled my soul to a strong endeavour, I bared my brow as the sharp strokes fell, And I said to my heart -- "Hope on! Hope ever: Have Courage -- Courage, and all is well." Then, bright as the blood in my heart's rich chalice, O Blossom, Blossom! -- you came from far; And life rang joy, till the World's loud malice Shrilled to the edge of our utmost star. And I said: "On me let the rough storms hurtle, The great clouds gather and shroud my sun -- But you shall be Queen where the rose and myrtle Laugh with the year till the year is done." So my Dream fell dead; and the fluctuant passion -- The stress and strain of the past re-grew, The world laughed on in its heedless fashion, But Earth whirled worthless, because of you! In that Lake of Tears which my grief discovered, I laid dead Love with a passionate kiss, And over those soundless depths has hovered The sweet, sad wraith of my vanished bliss. Heart clings to Heart -- let the strange years sever The fates of two who had met -- to part; Love's strength survives, and the harsh world never Shall crush the passion of heart for heart; For I know my life, though it droop and dwindle, Shall leave me Love till I fade and die, And when hereafter our Souls re-kindle, Who shall be fonder -- You or I?