Page:The Statues in the Block and Other Poems (1881).djvu/15



OVE is the secret of the world," he said; "The cup we drain and still desire to drink. The loadstone hungers for the steel; the steel, Inert amid a million stones, responds to this. So yearn and answer hearts that truly love: Once touch their life-spring, it vibrates to death; And twain a thrill as one are nature-wed."

But silent stood the three who heard, nor smiled Nor looked agreement. Strangers these who stood Within a Roman studio—still young, But sobered each with that which follows joy At life's fresh forenoon, and the eye of each