WHEN we as strangers sought br Their catering care, br Veiled smiles bespoke their thought br Of what we were. br They warmed as they opined br Us more than friends-- br That we had all resigned br For love's dear ends. br br And that swift sympathy br With living love br Which quicks the world--maybe br The spheres above, br Made them our ministers, br Moved them to say, br "Ah, God, that bliss like theirs br Would flush our day!" br br And we were left alone br As Love's own pair; br Yet never the love-light shone br Between us there! br But that which chilled the breath br Of afternoon, br And palsied unto death br The pane-fly's tune. br br The kiss their zeal foretold, br And now deemed come, br Came not: within his hold br Love lingered numb. br Why cast he on our port br A bloom not ours? br Why shaped us for his sport br In after-hours? br br As we seemed we were not br That day afar, br And now we seem not what br We aching are.