Shake Hands and Go

Come now, behold, how small a thing is love;
How long ago is it since, side by side,
We stood together, in that summer-tide.
And heard the June sea, blue and deep and wide,
Murmuring as one that in her dreams doth move
To thoughts of love's first kiss and beauty's pride?

How long is it? But one brief year ago, —
One autumn, and one winter, and one spring;
Now, as last year, the birds awake and sing.
Once more unto the hills the hill-flowers cling.
How is it with you? What heart you have, I know,
Changes with every comer and fresh thing.

And yet, I think you loved me for a space;
At all events you loved my love of you:
Whether to me or that your love was due
I know not. While it lived perchance 't was true;
But you forget each season and each face,
And love the new as long as it is new.

Scan o'er that time, as at the close of day
One thinks what he has done or left undone;
Know you those days when noontide heats of sun
Smote full upon us, and we strove to shun
Their flaming force and took the sheltered way
'Neath shading trees, with green leaves softly spun

There in an island of dim green and shade
We paused, while round, like a great silent sea,
Lay the blue, blinding, burning day; but we
Knew nothing save our own life's melody,
And there, until the day was done, delayed;
Then homeward wended o'er the dewy lea.

Know you those moonlit nights upon the sand, —
The golden sand beside the lucid deep, —
Where soft waves rippled as they sang in sleep;
How there we sowed what I alone shall reap?
Nay, feign not thus to draw away your hand.
Nor droop your lids; I know you cannot weep.

O pliant crimson lips and bright cold eyes, —
Lips that my lips have pressed, and fingers sweet
That lay about my neck, or soft, would meet
Around my eyes to screen them from the heat ',
Where are your words, where is our paradise?
Your love was warm as summer — and as fleet.

And yet, behold, with some how strong is love;
How helpless is the dupe that boasts a heart!
I know you now, and yet regret to part.
Fairer than ever, in the marriage mart
You'll fetch your price; time's dealings that are rough
With nature, leave untouched the works of art.

Well, kiss once more as in the gone-by time;
Let your hair mix with mine; take hands again.
Your kiss is sweet — and do you only feign?
There, look once more on jutting cliff and main;
And now go hence, while I in some sad rhyme
Weave our love's tale, — brief joy and lasting pain.

Go, go thy way; return not to the gates
Of the fair past, forsake the dear dead days;
I know thou wilt. I to some distant place
May wander, and forget your voice and face.
Ah, let us say " Good-by! " I know one waits;
He paid his price, and for his purchase stays.