Page:Impressions- A Book of Verse.djvu/29

 EXILE: HER SPOKEN THOUGHT

F I said "Hopeless love was never found" 'T was that I vainly strove my heart to cheer And struggled to forget the trembling fear Which shook me, when my heart with sudden bound Heard a new sweetness thrilling in the sound Of my friend's voice knelling our parting drear,— Since friendship turned to love would cost him dear.

A woman and unloved, a queen discrowned, I'll seek a joyless exile for his sake. Let me go forth from that fair province where So late I ruled serene, nor knew the ache Of love in banishment. Love fed on air Consumes in pain. His love I must not take. My joy too dearly bought by his despair!