A Fading Face

Out of a dim and slowly fading place
In the deep dwelling mem’ries,--as it seems,
Mingled of purple mem’ries and of dreams--
The perfect marble features of Your face
Shine and are seen: each brow is like the space
Pearly in heaven after the sun-beams;
And all the curving of the mouth still gleams
Where many a gracious smile hath left a grace;
But the eyes are within, or all too far,
Or changed now to some element of heaven
Purer and subtler than the blue they were;
They meet me not. I know not where you are;
With God most--wholly in the grave,--or even
In the remembrance of you that is here.