I loved him not; and yet, now he is gone, br I feel I am alone. br I check'd him while he spoke; yet, could he speak, br Alas! I would not check. br For reasons not to love him once I sought, br And wearied all my thought br To vex myself and him: I now would give br My love could he but live br Who lately lived for me, and, when he found br 'Twas vain, in holy ground br He hid his face amid the shades of death! br I waste for him my breath br Who wasted his for me! but mine returns, br And this torn bosom burns br With stifling heat, heaving it up in sleep, br And waking me to weep br Tears that had melted his soft heart: for years br Wept he as bitter tears! br Merciful God! such was his latest prayer, br These may she never share. br Quieter is his breath, his breast more cold, br Than daisies in the mould, br Where children spell, athwart the churchyard gate, br His name and life's brief date.