In My Heart

In my heart are many chambers through which I wander free ;
Some are furnished, some are empty, some are sombre, some are light ;
Some are open to all comers, of some I keep the key ;
And I enter in the stillness of the night.

But there 's one I never enter — it is closed to even me !
Only once its door was opened, and it shut for evermore ;
And though sounds of many voices gather round it like a sea,
It is silent, ever silent, as the shore.

In that chamber, long ago, my love's casket was concealed,
And the jewel that it sheltered I knew only one could win ;
And my soul foreboded sorrow, should that jewel be revealed,
And I almost hoped that none might enter in.

Yet day and night I lingered by that fatal chamber door,
Till she came at last, my darling one, of all the earth my own ;
And she entered — then she vanished with my jewel which she wore ;
And the door was closed — and I was left alone.

She gave me back no jewel, but the spirit of her eyes
Shone with tenderness a moment, as she closed that chamber door,
And the memory of that moment is all I have to prize —
But that, at least, is mine for evermore.

Was she conscious, when she took it, that the jewel was my love ?
Did she think it but a bauble she might wear or toss aside ?
I know not, I accuse not, but I hope that it may prove
A blessing, though she spurn it in her pride,