Page:Songs of the Affections.pdf/49

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Didst thou bear with thee to the shore unknown, Nought of what lived in that long, earnest gaze? Hear, hear, and answer me!

Thy voice—its low, soft, fervent, farewell tone Thrill'd through the tempest of the parting strife, Like a faint breeze:—oh! from that music flown, Send back one sound, if love's be quenchless life, But once, oh! answer me!

In the still noontide, in the sunset's hush, In the dead hour of night, when thought grows deep, When the heart's phantoms from the darkness rush, Fearfully beautiful, to strive with sleep— Spirit! then answer me!

By the remembrance of our blended pray'r; By all our tears, whose mingling made them sweet; By our last hope, the victor o'er despair;— Speak! if our souls in deathless yearnings meet; Answer me, answer me!