XXXVI br br When we met first and loved, I did not build br Upon the event with marble. Could it mean br To last, a love set pendulous between br Sorrow and sorrow? Nay, I rather thrilled, br Distrusting every light that seemed to gild br The onward path, and feared to overlean br A finger even. And, though I have grown serene br And strong since then, I think that God has willed br A still renewable fear . . . O love, O troth . . . br Lest these enclasped hands should never hold, br This mutual kiss drop down between us both br As an unowned thing, once the lips being cold. br And Love, be false! if he, to keep one oath, br Must lose one joy, by his life's star foretold.