A moment face to face they stood,
⁠While soul met soul in honest eyes
That trembling glowed through unshed tears,
⁠Born of a love that never dies.

They met to speak the saddest word
⁠That e'er on human lips can dwell:
But, O, the mockery to dream
⁠That such as these could take farewell!

For as two roseate clouds unite,
⁠In wake of the departed sun,
Their kindred essence pure and sweet,
⁠These twain had softly merged in one.

They might be severed pole from pole,
⁠Might live through all the years apart;
What mattered time and space to them
⁠Whose home was in each other's heart?

He craved a tress of that fine gold
⁠Whose wavy wreaths her forehead graced;
Bending to grant the boon, he clasped
⁠A zone of pearl about her waist.

A moment more, and he was gone
⁠From sight, nought else. High heart and mind,
Stronghold of tenderness and truth,
⁠Defied the hour, and stayed behind!

The seasons rolled, and ne'er again
⁠Thus face to face 'twas theirs to stand;
Yet heart to heart they walked the world
⁠On to the goal, the silent land.

O gift of gifts! a noble soul
⁠That wraps our own in full embrace,
Till all mean things in love's great sea
⁠Are lost, and self hath no more place.