Xi

Sitting often I have, oh! Often have desired you so-- Yearned to kiss you as I did When your love to me you gave, In the moonlight, by the wave, And a long-remembered kiss Pressed upon your mouth that chid, Then upon each eye's sweet lid-- That, all passion-shaken, I With love-language will address Each dear thing I know you by, Picture, needle-work, or frame; Each suggestive in the same Perfume of past happiness: Till, meseems, the ways we knew Now again I tread with you From the old-time tryst: and there Feel the pressure of your hair Cool and young upon my cheek, And your breath's aroma: bare On my arm your hand,--as weak As a lily on a stream:-- And once more you look at me With the sometime witchery, And again I hear you speak; And remembered ecstasy Sweeps my soul again.--I seem Dreaming.... Would I thus might dream Ever! and reality Mix itself eternally With such visions of the past, Where my soul still holds you fast!