Page:The Cornhill magazine (Volume 1).djvu/478

 Strangers Yet!

Strangers yet!

After years of life together, After fair and stormy weather, After travel in far lands, After touch of wedded hands,— Why thus joined? why ever met? If they must be strangers yet.

Strangers yet!

After childhood's winning ways, After care, and blame, and praise, Counsel asked, and wisdom given, After mutual prayers to Heaven, Child and parent scarce regret When they part—are strangers yet

Strangers yet!

After strife for common ends, After title of old friends, After passion fierce and tender, After cheerful self-surrender, Hearts may beat and eyes be wet, And the souls be strangers yet.

Strangers yet!

Strange and bitter thought to scan All the loneliness of man! Nature by magnetic laws Circle unto circle draws; Circles only touch when met, Never mingle—strangers yet.

Strangers yet!

Will it evermore be thus— Spirits still impervious? Shall we ever fairly stand Soul to soul, as hand to hand? Are the bounds eternal set To retain us strangers yet?

Strangers yet!

Tell not love it must aspire Unto something other—higher: God himself were loved the best, Were man's sympathies at rest; Rest above the strain and fret Of the world of strangers yet! Strangers yet!

R. Monckton Milnes.