To the Elect of Love,--or side-by-side br In raptest ecstasy, or sundered wide br By seas that bear no message to or fro br Between the loved and lost of long ago. br br br So were I but a minstrel, deft br At weaving, with the trembling strings br Of my glad harp, the warp and weft br Of rondels such as rapture sings,-- br I'd loop my lyre across my breast, br Nor stay me till my knee found rest br In midnight banks of bud and flower br Beneath my lady's lattice-bower. br br And there, drenched with the teary dews, br I'd woo her with such wondrous art br As well might stanch the songs that ooze br Out of the mockbird's breaking heart; br So light, so tender, and so sweet br Should be the words I would repeat, br Her casement, on my gradual sight, br Would blossom as a lily might.