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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  861. Reunited

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Gilbert Parker. b. 1862

861. Reunited

WHEN you and I have play’d the little hour, 
  Have seen the tall subaltern Life to Death 
  Yield up his sword; and, smiling, draw the breath, 
The first long breath of freedom; when the flower 
Of Recompense hath flutter’d to our feet,         5
  As to an actor’s; and, the curtain down, 
  We turn to face each other all alone— 
Alone, we two, who never yet did meet, 
Alone, and absolute, and free: O then, 
  O then, most dear, how shall be told the tale?  10
Clasp’d hands, press’d lips, and so clasp’d hands again; 
  No words. But as the proud wind fills the sail, 
    My love to yours shall reach, then one deep moan 
    Of joy, and then our infinite Alone.