Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. V. Browning to Rupert Brooke
Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton (18091885)Shadows
T
The casual friends of every day,
Her smile was undisturbed and sweet,
His courtesy was free and gay.
In some unguarded moment heard,
The heart, you thought so calm and tame,
Would struggle like a captured bird:
Were blistered with repeated tears,—
And this was not the work of days,
But had gone on for years and years!
For maiden shame and manly pride!
Alas! that they delayed so long
The goal of mutual bliss beside.
And neither would be first to own,
Let fate and courage now conceal,
When truth could bring remorse alone.