An Anthology of Australian Verse/Quis Separabit?

All my life's short years had been stern and sterile – I stood like one whom the blasts blow back As with shipmen whirled through the straits of Peril, So fierce foes menaced my every track.

But I steeled my soul to a strong endeavour, I bared my brow as the sharp strokes fell, And I said to my heart – "Hope on! Hope ever:   Have Courage – Courage, and all is well."

Then, bright as the blood in my heart's rich chalice, O Blossom, Blossom! – you came from far; And life rang joy, till the World's loud malice Shrilled to the edge of our utmost star.

And I said: "On me let the rough storms hurtle,   The great clouds gather and shroud my sun – But you shall be Queen where the rose and myrtle   Laugh with the year till the year is done."

So my Dream fell dead; and the fluctuant passion – The stress and strain of the past re-grew, The world laughed on in its heedless fashion, But Earth whirled worthless, because of you!

In that Lake of Tears which my grief discovered, I laid dead Love with a passionate kiss, And over those soundless depths has hovered The sweet, sad wraith of my vanished bliss.

Heart clings to Heart – let the strange years sever The fates of two who had met to part; Love's strength survives, and the harsh world never Shall crush the passion of heart for heart;

For I know my life, though it droop and dwindle, Shall leave me Love till I fade and die, And when hereafter our Souls re-kindle, Who shall be fonder – You or I?