Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Gilbert Parker. b. 1862861. 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. |