Two

I. Apart

One place—one roof—one name—their daily bread 
In daily sacrament they break 
Together, and together take 
Perpetual counsel, such as use has fed 
The habit of, in words which make 
No lie. For courtesy’s sweet sake
And pity’s, one brave heart whose joy is dead, 
Smiles ever, answering words which wake 
But weariness; hides all its ache,—
Its hopeless ache, its longing and its dread; 
Strong as a martyr at the stake 
Renouncing self; striving to slake 
The pangs of thirst on bitter hyssop red
With vinegar! O brave, strong heart! 
God sets all days, all hours apart, 
Joy cometh at his hour appointed. 

II. Together

No touch—no sight—no sound—wide continents 
And seas clasp hands to seperate 
Them from each other now. Too late! 
Triumphant Love has leagued the elements 
To do their will. Hath light a mate 
For swiftness? Can it overweight
The air? Or doth the sun know accidents? 
The light, the air, the sun, inviolate 
For them, do constant keep and state 
Message of their ineffable contents
And raptures, each in each. So great 
Their bliss of loving, even fate 
In parting them, hath found no instruments 
Whose bitter pain insatiate 
Doth kill it, or their faith abate 
In presence of Love’s hourly sacraments. 

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