An Anthology of Australian Verse/No Message

She heard the story of the end, Each message, too, she heard; And there was one for every friend; For her alone — no word.

And shall she bear a heavier heart, And deem his love was fled; Because his soul from earth could part Leaving her name unsaid?

No — No! — Though neither sign nor sound A parting thought expressed — Not heedless passed the Homeward-Bound Of her he loved the best.

Of voyage-perils, bravely borne, He would not tell the tale; Of shattered planks and canvas torn, And war with wind and gale.

He waited till the light-house star Should rise against the sky; And from the mainland, looming far, The forest scents blow by.

He hoped to tell — assurance sweet! —  That pain and grief were o'er — What blessings haste the soul to meet, Ere yet within the door.

Then one farewell he thought to speak When all the rest were past — As in the parting-hour we seek The dearest hand the last.

And while for this delaying but To see Heaven's opening Gate — Lo, it received him — and was shut — Ere he could say "I wait."