I

And he had lived such loveless years That suffering had made him wise; And she had known no graver tears Than those of girlhood’s eyes.

And he, perhaps, had loved before-- One, who had wedded, or had died;-- So life to him had been but poor In love for which he sighed.

In years and heart she was so young Love paused and beckoned at the gate, And bade her hear his songs, unsung; She laughed that “love must wait.”

He understood. She only knew Love’s hair was faded, face was gray-- Nor saw the rose his autumn blew There in her heedless way.