Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/152

 A tremor stirred her tender lips, Which parted to dissuade: “That cannot be, O friend," she cried; “Think, I am but a Shade!

"A Shade but in its mindful ones Has immortality; By living, me you keep alive, By dying you slay me.

"In you resides my single power Of sweet continuance here; On your fidelity I count Through many a coming year."

—I started through me at her plight, So suddenly confessed: Dismissing late distaste for life, I craved its bleak unrest.

"I will not die, my One of all!— To lengthen out thy days I'll guard me from minutest harms That may invest my ways!"