First Love

Our treasures hardly seemed our own, And barren our adventures were Till comrades shared them:--one alone I could not share.

We had no aims nor joys apart, No secret we could long withhold: One only, hidden in my heart, I kept untold.

I see the little village church, The faces that we used to know, The parson in his pulpit-perch, The clerk below; The bare grey walls, the windows dim, The crystal stains that filtered through The golden wings of seraphim, The robes of blue.

A sudden ray of sunshine fell Soft on a little maiden’s hair, And, lo! a joy I dared not tell, And could not share.

My treasure hardly seemed my own, My secret joy a burden grew, In fear lest others had been shown Its wonder too.

Her heart my secret never guessed; And she is gone,--I know not where, And now with those who loved her best The loss I share.