Page:Songs of the Affections.pdf/15

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Is to love deeply—and my spirit's dower Was a sad gift, a melancholy power Of so adoring;—with a buried care, And with the o'erflowing of a voiceless prayer, And with a deepening dream, that day by day, In the still shadow of its lonely sway, Folded me closer;—till the world held nought Save the one Being to my centred thought. There was no music but his voice to hear, No joy but such as with his step drew near; Light was but where he look'd—life where he moved— Silently, fervently, thus, thus I loved. Oh! but such love is fearful!—and I knew Its gathering doom:—the soul's prophetic sight Even then unfolded in my breast, and threw O'er all things round a full, strong, vivid light, Too sorrowfully clear!—an under-tone Was given to Nature's harp, for me alone Whispering of grief.—Of grief?—be strong, awake!