At last we parley: we so strangely dumb br In such a close communion! It befell br About the sounding of the Matin-bell, br And lo! her place was vacant, and the hum br Of loneliness was round me. Then I rose, br And my disordered brain did guide my foot br To that old wood where our first love-salute br Was interchanged: the source of many throes! br There did I see her, not alone. I moved br Toward her, and made proffer of my arm. br She took it simply, with no rude alarm; br And that disturbing shadow passed reproved. br I felt the pained speech coming, and declared br My firm belief in her, ere she could speak. br A ghastly morning came into her cheek, br While with a widening soul on me she stared.