IN THREE DAYS.

1.

So, I shall see her in three days
And just one night, but nights are short,
Then two long hours, and that is morn.
See how I come, unchanged, unworn

Feel, where my life broke off from thine, How fresh the splinters keep and fine,— Only a touch and we combine!

2.

Too long, this time of year, the days!

But nights

at least the nights are short. As night shows where her one moon is, A hand's-breadth of pure light and bliss, So, life's night gives my lady birth

And

my eyes hold her! what is worth The rest of heaven, the rest of earth?

3.

O loaded curls, release your store
Of warmth and scent as once before

The tingling hair did, lights and darks
Out-breaking into fairy sparks
When under curl and curl I pried
After the warmth and scent inside

Thro' lights and darks how manifold

The dark inspired, the light controlled !
As early Art embrowned the gold.

4.

What great fear - should one say, "Three days
That change the world, might change as well
Your fortune; and if joy delays,

Be happy that no worse befell."
What small fear-if another says,

"Three days and one short night beside
May throw no shadow on your ways;
But years must teem with change untried,
With chance not easily defied,

With an end somewhere undescried."
No fear! - or if a fear be born

This minute, it dies out in scorn.
Fear? I shall see her in three days
And one night, now the nights are short,
Then just two hours, and that is morn.

IN A YEAR.

1.

NEVER any more

While I live,

Need I hope to see his face

As before.

Once his love grown chill,

Mine may strive Bitterly we re-embrace, Single still.

2.

Was it something said,

Something done,

Vexed him? was it touch of hand,

Turn of head?

Strange! that very way

Love begun.

I as little understand

Love's decay.